Fiber optic housings configured for tool-less assembly, and related components and methods

ABSTRACT

Fiber optic housings configured for tool-less assembly, and related components and methods are disclosed. A fiber optic housing is provided having a top, a bottom, a right side, and a left side which removably attach to each other tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means, thereby defining at least one interior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment. The top, bottom, right side, and left side may be removably attached to each other by using a snap attachment integral to at least one of the bottom, the right side, and the left side. One or more mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets may be attached to the fiber optic housing by other than external fastening means, which may be done by using a quick snap attachment integral to at least one of the sides of the fiber optic housing and the mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/332,572, filed May 7, 2010, entitled “FiberOptic Housing,” the disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/953,101, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Apparatuses and RelatedComponents And Methods For Expanding Capacity Of Fiber Optic Housings,”the disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/953,164, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Fiber Optic HousingsHaving A Removable Top, And Related Components and Methods,” thedisclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/953,003, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Removable FiberManagement Devices For Fiber Optic Housings, and Related Components AndMethods,” the disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/953,039, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Door Fiber Management ForFiber Optic Housings, and Related Components And Methods,” thedisclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/952,960, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Fiber Management DevicesFor Fiber Optic Housings, And Related Components and Methods,” thedisclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/952,912, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Apparatuses And RelatedComponents And Methods For Attachment and Release Of Fiber OpticHousings To And From An Equipment Rack,” the disclosure of which isrelied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/953,118, filed Nov. 23, 2010, entitled “Removable FiberManagement Sections For Fiber Optic Housings, and Related Components AndMethods,” the disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/329,898, filed Apr. 30, 2010, entitled“Rotatable Routing Guide Assembly” the contents of which are relied uponand incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/332,572, filed May 7, 2010, entitled “FiberOptic Housing” the contents of which are relied upon and incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/332,548, filed May 7, 2010, entitled “AttachmentHousing for a Fiber Optic Housing” the contents of which are relied uponand incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/332,529, filed May 7, 2010, entitled “FiberOptic Management Area in a Fiber Optic Housing” the contents of whichare relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/332,508, filed May 7, 2010, entitled “Grommetand Routing Clip Assembly” the contents of which are relied upon andincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/329,925, filed Apr. 30, 2010, entitled “FiberOptic Housing Adapted to Accommodate Both Modules and Panels,” thedisclosure of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/940,585, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled “Fiber Optic HousingsConfigured to Accommodate Fiber Optic Modules/Cassettes and Fiber OpticPanels, and Related Components and Methods,” the disclosure of which isrelied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/329,948, filed Apr. 30, 2010, entitled“Stackable Shelf for a Fiber Optic Housing,” the disclosure of which isrelied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/940,699, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled “Stackable Shelves For aFiber Optic Housing, and Related Components and Methods,” the disclosureof which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 61/180,331, filed May 21, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic EquipmentGuides and Rails Configured With Stopping Position(s), and RelatedEquipment,” the disclosure of which is relied upon and incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/576,806, filed Oct. 9, 2009, entitled “Fiber Optic EquipmentGuides and Rails Configured With Stopping Position(s), and RelatedEquipment and Methods,” the disclosure of which is relied upon andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The technology of the disclosure relates to fiber optic housings forsupporting fiber optic equipment, including but not limited to fiberoptic equipment that provides interconnect and/or cross-connectcapabilities between optical components and opto-electrical componentsusing fiber optic cables, and more particularly to fiber optic housingsconfigured to be assembled without using tools.

2. Technical Background

Benefits of optical fiber include extremely wide bandwidth and low noiseoperation. Because of these advantages, optical fiber is increasinglybeing used for a variety of applications, including but not limited tobroadband voice, video, and data transmission. Fiber optic networksemploying optical fiber are being developed and used to deliver voice,video, and data transmissions to subscribers over both private andpublic networks. These fiber optic networks often include separatedconnection points linking optical fibers to provide a contiguous fiberoptic link from one connection point to another connection point. Inthis regard, fiber optic equipment is located in data distributioncenters or central offices to support interconnections.

The fiber optic equipment is customized based on the application need.The fiber optic equipment is typically included in housings designed tosupport the fiber optic equipment, which are mounted in equipment racksto optimize use of space. One example of such fiber optic equipment is afiber optic module/cassette. A fiber optic module/cassette is designedto provide cable-to-cable fiber optic connections and manage thepolarity of fiber optic cable connections. A fiber optic module orcassette is mounted to a chassis or housing that is specificallydesigned to support fiber optic modules and cassettes. Another exampleof such fiber optic equipment is a fiber optic panel (also referred toas a “patch panel”). A fiber optic panel is designed to provideconnection or termination points for optical fiber. A fiber optic paneltypically includes fiber optic adapters that are configured to receivefiber optic connectors connected to the optical fiber to be connected orterminated. A fiber optic panel is typically mounted to a chassis orhousing that is specifically designed to support fiber optic panels.

A fiber optic housing is typically assembled from various parts by atechnician using tools. Fiber optic equipment, such as fiber opticmodules/cassettes and fiber optic panels as examples, may be loaded intoand supported by a fiber optic housing prior to shipment to theinstallation site. Alternatively, the fiber optic equipment may beloaded into a fiber optic housing after shipment at the installationsite. Whether loaded or unloaded, an assembled fiber optic housingconsumes a given volume during shipping. It may be desirable and morecost efficient in terms of shipping costs to ship the components of thefiber optic housing unassembled to the installation site and assemblethe components of the fiber optic housing on site.

SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include fiber optichousings configured for tool-less assembly, and related components andmethods. In one embodiment, a fiber optic housing is provided having atop, a bottom, a right side, and a left side which removably attach toeach other tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means,thereby defining at least one interior chamber configured to supportfiber optic equipment. The top, bottom, right side, and left side of thefiber optic housing may be removably attached to each other by using asnap attachment integral to at least one of the bottom, the right side,and the left side. In an embodiment, the fiber optic housing further hasone or more mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets, which maybe attached to the fiber optic housing by other than external fasteningmeans. In another embodiment, the mounting brackets and/or strain reliefbrackets may be attached to a side of the fiber optic housing by using aquick snap attachment integral to at least one of the side of the fiberoptic housing and the mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a fiber optic housingwithout tools is disclosed. A top, a bottom, a right side, and a leftside of a fiber optic housing are provided and attached to each othertool-lessly, by other than external fastening means, thereby defining atleast one interior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment.The top, bottom, right side, and left side of the fiber optic housingcan also be detached tool-lessly. In one embodiment, the top, bottom,right side, and left side are removably attached to each other by usingsnap attachments integral to at least one of the top, the bottom, theright side, and the left side. In an embodiment, the method furthercomprises removably mounting a side mounting bracket and/or a strainrelief bracket to the fiber optic housing. In one embodiment, the sidemounting bracket or the strain relief bracket is attached to the fiberoptic housing by using snap attachments on a side of the fiber optichousing. In another embodiment, the method further comprises removablymounting the fiber optic housing to an equipment rack tool-lessly, andby other than external fastening means, using a side mounting bracket.

In this disclosure, “tool-less” assembly of any set of components isused to refer to the assembly of that set of components being donewithout the use of tools or external fastening means. One non-limitingexample of “tool-less” assembly is when a set of components is assembledusing fastening means, such as snap attachments, that are integral toone or more of the components in the set of components. Once the set ofcomponents is assembled tool-lessly, then the assembled set ofcomponents may be attached to another component or device using externalfasteners and tools, and even with this use of external fasteners andtools, the assembly of the original set of components is stillconsidered to be “tool-less.”

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing theinvention as described herein, including the detailed description thatfollows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description present embodiments, and are intendedto provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature andcharacter of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included toprovide a further understanding, and are incorporated into andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate variousembodiments, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples and operation of the concepts disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingbeing mounted to an exemplary equipment rack from the front of theequipment rack;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.1A after being mounted to the equipment rack in FIG. 1A from the frontof the equipment rack;

FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing of FIG.1A being mounted to the equipment rack in FIG. 1A from the rear of theequipment rack;

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.1A after being mounted to the equipment rack in FIG. 1A from the rear ofthe equipment rack;

FIG. 1E is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary fiberoptic housing being mounted to an exemplary equipment rack from thefront of the equipment rack;

FIG. 1F is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.1E after being mounted to the equipment rack in FIG. 1E;

FIG. 1G is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG. 1Ebeing removed from the equipment rack in FIG. 1E;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the fiber optic housing in FIG. 1E mounted inthe equipment rack in FIG. 1E with a close-up view of exemplary snapfeatures disposed on a side of the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of another exemplary fiber optichousing mounted in an exemplary equipment rack;

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG. 3Aillustrating an exemplary release tab for removing the fiber optichousing from the equipment rack in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing of FIG. 3Abeing removed from the equipment rack in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of an exemplary mounting bracket configured tobe removably attached to a side of the fiber optic housing in FIGS.3A-3C;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIGS.3A-3C being reinstalled into an equipment rack;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIGS.1A-1D including an exemplary mounting bracket snap attachment feature;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an exemplary mounting bracketconfigured to be removably attached to a side of an exemplary fiberoptic housing;

FIG. 8 is a cut section of the mounting bracket and side of the fiberoptic housing illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingincluding an exemplary strain relief bracket;

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingincluding an exemplary strain relief bracket;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a side view of the strain relief bracket in FIG.10 mounted to the fiber optic housing in FIG. 10 and a close-up view ofthe fiber optic housing and strain relief bracket illustrated in FIG.10, respectively;

FIG. 12 is a cut section of the external strain relief bracket and aside of the fiber optic housing in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B;

FIG. 13 is a partial, rear perspective view of the fiber optic housingin FIG. 9 illustrating exemplary strain relief brackets with exemplaryfiber optic cables tied to the strain relief brackets;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingwith a front door closed;

FIG. 15 illustrates exploded and assembled front perspective views ofexemplary components of an exemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exploded front perspective view of exemplarycomponents of an exemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 17A is an assembled front perspective view of the fiber optichousing in FIG. 16;

FIG. 17B is an assembled front perspective view of the fiber optichousing in FIG. 17A with a cover plate;

FIG. 18 is a close-up front perspective view illustrating details of howan inside top panel of the fiber optic housing in FIGS. 17A and 17B isconnected to a side panel of the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 19A is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housinghaving an exemplary removable top;

FIG. 19B is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing of FIG.19A after the removable top is removed;

FIG. 19C illustrates an exemplary release tab in the fiber optic housingin FIGS. 19A and 19B;

FIG. 20A illustrates an exploded front perspective view of an exemplaryremovable top;

FIG. 20B illustrates an assembled front perspective view of the fiberoptic housing in FIG. 17B as the removable top in FIG. 20A is beinginstalled into the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 21A is a side view section cut of an exemplary side panel of anexemplary fiber optic housing with the removable top in FIGS. 19A, 20A,and 20B installed;

FIG. 21B is a side view of an exemplary gap in the removable top inFIGS. 19A, 20A, and 20B configured to receive the side panel of thefiber optic housing;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingincluding exemplary openings disposed in the sides of the fiber optichousing and rubber entry grommets disposed in the fiber optic housing,both for fiber management;

FIG. 23 is a partial, front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optichousing in FIG. 22, illustrating exemplary molded in flexible edgeprotection disposed in the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optichousing and perspective views of exemplary removable front sectionversions attached to the fiber optic housing to provide additionalcapacity for fiber management devices;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded, front perspective view of an exemplaryremovable front section in FIG. 24 configured to be attached to thefiber optic housing in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection in FIG. 25 with a door closed against the removable frontsection;

FIG. 26B illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection in FIGS. 25 and 26A with the door in FIG. 26A opened;

FIG. 26C illustrates a top perspective view of the removable frontsection in FIGS. 25, 26A, and 26B with the door removed;

FIG. 26D illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection in FIGS. 25 and 26A-C with the door removed;

FIG. 27 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary removablefront section being attached to an exemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 28 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary removablefront section in FIGS. 25 and 26A-C attached to an exemplary fiber optichousing with exemplary fiber optic jumpers being routed out of sides ofthe removable front section;

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingillustrating an exemplary removable front section having a plurality ofexemplary removable front jumper management devices with grommets;

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.29 illustrating exemplary fiber management of exemplary optical fiberjumpers using the front jumper management device with pass-throughgrommets in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the front jumper managementdevice with the pass-through grommets in FIGS. 29 and 30;

FIG. 32 illustrates how exemplary front jumper management devices withpass-through grommets may be mounted on their sides to create horizontalfiber management outside an exemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 33 illustrates how an exemplary front jumper management device withpass-through grommets may be mounted in an exemplary fiber optic housingin place of a fiber optic panel to allow for fiber management;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingconfigured to support exemplary fiber optic modules;

FIG. 35A is a front perspective view illustrating where and how anexemplary removable panel clip is attached to a bottom panel of anexemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 35B is a close-up view of the removable panel clip in FIG. 35Abeing attached to the bottom panel of the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 35C is a cut section of the removable panel clip in FIGS. 35A and35B being attached to the bottom panel of the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 36A is a front perspective view of exemplary fiber optic panelsbeing mounted in the fiber optic housing in FIGS. 35A-C by beingattached to the removable panel clips illustrated in FIGS. 35A-C;

FIG. 36B is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.36A fully loaded with fiber optic panels attached to removable panelclips;

FIGS. 37A-37G are top perspective, bottom perspective, rotatedperspective, right side, left side, top, and front views, respectively,of a removable panel clip to be used with the fiber optic housing inFIGS. 34, 35A, 36A, and 36B;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary removable panelclip installed in an exemplary fiber optic housing to enable the fiberoptic housing to interchangeably support exemplary fiber optic panelsand fiber optic modules;

FIGS. 39A-39D are bottom, side, front, and back views, respectively, ofthe removable panel clip in FIG. 38;

FIGS. 40A-40D illustrate various views of exemplary rails to be used inmounting exemplary fiber optic splice cassettes in an exemplary fiberoptic housing;

FIGS. 41A and 41B are front perspective and side views, respectively, ofan exemplary fiber optic splice cassette that may be mounted on anexemplary rail in an exemplary fiber optic housing;

FIG. 42 is a rear view of an exemplary fiber optic housing with the reardoor opened that is fully loaded with exemplary fiber optic splicecassettes attached to rails;

FIG. 43A is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingmounted in an exemplary equipment rack illustrating exemplary fiberslack storage and fiber management on a rear door of the fiber optichousing;

FIG. 43B is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingmounted in an exemplary equipment rack illustrating an alternateexemplary fiber slack storage and management scheme on a rear door ofthe fiber optic housing having exemplary fiber optic splice cassettes;

FIG. 43C is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingmounted in an exemplary equipment rack illustrating an alternateexemplary fiber slack storage and management scheme on a rear door ofthe fiber optic housing having exemplary fiber optic panels;

FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingmounted in an exemplary equipment rack with an exemplary removable fibermanagement device mounted in the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing mounted inthe equipment rack in FIG. 44 with the removable fiber management devicein FIG. 44 removed from the fiber optic housing;

FIG. 46A is a front perspective view of the removable fiber managementdevice in FIG. 44 with exemplary routing clips;

FIG. 46B is a front perspective view of the removable fiber managementdevice in FIG. 46A illustrating an exemplary fiber optic cable routingwith an exemplary buffer tube and optical fiber;

FIG. 46C is a top front perspective view of the removable fibermanagement device in FIG. 44 with exemplary optical fiber splice trays;

FIG. 46D is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary removablefiber management device;

FIG. 47 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingillustrating optical fiber storage using the removable fiber managementdevices in FIGS. 44-46D;

FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of an exemplary fiber optic housingillustrating an expandable attachment housing separated from the fiberoptic housing;

FIG. 49 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing in FIG.48 illustrating the expandable attachment housing in FIG. 48 attached tothe fiber optic housing;

FIG. 50A is a rear, perspective view of the expandable attachmenthousing in FIGS. 48 and 49 with exemplary jumper slack storage;

FIG. 50B is a rear, perspective view of the expandable attachmenthousing in FIGS. 48 and 49 with exemplary strain relief brackets;

FIG. 51 is a rear view of an exemplary fiber optic housing illustratinghow an exemplary door can be easily attached or removed; and

FIG. 52 is a close-up view of how the door in FIG. 51 can be easilyattached to or removed from the fiber optic housing;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, butnot all features are illustrated. Indeed, embodiments disclosed hereinmay be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used torefer to like components or parts.

Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include apparatuses,and related components and methods for attachment and release of fiberoptic housings to and from equipment racks. The fiber optic housings maybe attached to equipment racks such that the fiber optic housings may beeasily and quickly removed from the equipment rack. In one embodiment, afiber optic apparatus is disclosed that comprises a fiber optic housingand at least one mounting bracket. The fiber optic housing may have atop, a bottom, a right side, and a left side defining at least oneinterior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment. The atleast one mounting bracket is configured to removably attach to at leastone of the right side or the left side of the fiber optic housing. Theat least one mounting bracket is also configured to attach the fiberoptic housing to an equipment rack. In one embodiment, the at least onemounting bracket is configured to removably attach to the at least oneof the right side or the left side of the fiber optic housingtool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means. In anembodiment, the at least one mounting bracket is removably attached tothe at least one of the right side or the left side of the fiber optichousing by a snap attachment integral to at least one of the right sideor the left side.

In this regard, FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate a first embodiment of a fiberoptic housing 10 that may be attached to and removed from an equipmentrack 11 easily and quickly. The fiber optic housing 10 is configured tosupport fiber optic equipment for establishing fiber optic connections.As non-limiting examples, the fiber optic equipment may include fiberoptic modules and/or fiber optic panels. As described in more detailbelow, the fiber optic housing 10 may be removably attached to theequipment rack 11 from the front or the rear of the equipment rack 11,as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1G.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing 10 beingmounted to the equipment rack 11 from the front of the equipment rack11. FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing 10after it has been mounted to the equipment rack 11 from the front.Referring to FIG. 1A, the equipment rack 11 may comprise a pair ofvertical supports 12A, 12B in one embodiment. Mounting brackets 14A, 14Bmay be attached to the vertical supports 12A, 12B to support the fiberoptic housing 10 in the equipment rack 11. The mounting brackets 14A,14B may be mounted on the equipment rack 11 before sliding the fiberoptic housing 10 into the equipment rack 11. However, in otherembodiments, the mounting brackets 14A, 14B may be snapped onto the sideof the fiber optic housing 10 first. In one embodiment, each of the pairof vertical supports 12A, 12B of the equipment rack 11 includes aplurality of openings or holes 16 disposed along the length of thevertical supports 12A, 12B of the equipment rack 11 configured toreceive a fastener to attach the mounting brackets 14A, 14B to thevertical supports 12A, 12B.

In one embodiment, the mounting brackets 14A, 14B are mounted to thevertical supports 12A, 12B before the fiber optic housing 10 isinstalled in the equipment rack 11. The fiber optic housing 10 is thenslid into place in the equipment rack 11 and removably attached to themounting brackets 14A, 14B using features disclosed herein. This processof supporting the fiber optic housing 10 in the equipment rack 11 may beeasier for a technician than securing the mounting brackets 14A, 14B tothe fiber optic housing 10 first before securing the mounting brackets14A, 14B to the vertical supports 12A, 12B. The mounting brackets 14A,14B are typically smaller, lighter, and easier for a technician to alignto the holes 16 and evenly in the vertical supports 12A, 12B withouthaving to support the additional weight of the fiber optic housing 10.Therefore, it may be safer for the technician to slide the fiber optichousing 10 into place in the mounting brackets 14A, 14B after themounting brackets 14A,14B are mounted to the equipment rack 11 than touse screws or other fasteners to try to attach the fiber optic housing10 to the equipment rack 11.

Once the mounting brackets 14A, 14B are mounted to the equipment rack11, the fiber optic housing 10 may be placed and secured into theequipment rack 11 by snapping the fiber optic housing 10 into place inthe mounting brackets 14A, 14B. In one embodiment, the mounting brackets14A, 14B may include a plurality of receivers 18, 20, and 22. Althoughthe receivers 18, 20, and 22 may be seen only on the mounting bracket14B in FIG. 1A, the mounting bracket 14A may have similar receivers 18,20, and 22. In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 1A, there may be apair of receivers 18, one at or near the top rear part of the mountingbracket 14B, and a corresponding receiver 18 at or near the bottom rearpart of the mounting bracket 14B. The mounting bracket 14B may alsoinclude a pair of receivers 20, one at or near the top middle part ofthe mounting bracket 14B, and a corresponding receiver 20 at or near thebottom middle part of the mounting bracket 14B. The mounting bracket 14Bmay also include a pair of receivers 22, one at or near the top frontpart of the mounting bracket 14B, and a corresponding receiver 22 at ornear the bottom front part of the mounting bracket 14B. Although theembodiment of FIG. 1A illustrates three (3) pairs of receivers 18, 20,and 22, any number of receivers sufficient to attach the fiber optichousing 10 to the mounting brackets 14A, 14B may be used.

In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 10 may include a plurality ofsnap features 24, 26, and 28 disposed on a side 30 of the fiber optichousing 10. The snap features 24, 26, and 28 may also be referred to assnap attachments or snap attachment features. Although the snap features24, 26, and 28 may be seen only on one side 30 of the fiber optichousing 10 in FIG. 1A, the fiber optic housing 10 may have similar snapfeatures 24, 26, and 28 on the other side as well. In one embodiment, asseen in FIG. 1A, there may be a pair of snap features 24, one at or nearthe top rear part of a rear portion 32 of the side 30 of the fiber optichousing 10, and a corresponding snap feature 24 at or near the bottomrear part of the rear portion 32 of the side 30. The side 30 may alsoinclude a pair of snap features 26, one at or near the top middle partof the rear portion 32 of the side 30, and a corresponding snap feature26 at or near the bottom middle part of the rear portion 32 of the side30. The side 30 may also include a pair of snap features 28, one at ornear the top front part of the rear portion 32 of the side 30, and acorresponding snap feature 28 at or near the bottom front part of therear portion 32 of the side 30. Although the embodiment of FIG. 1Aillustrates three (3) pairs of snap features 24, 26, and 28, any numberof snap features 24, 26, and 28 sufficient to attach the fiber optichousing 10 to the mounting brackets 14A, 14B may be used.

The receivers 18, 20, and 22 of the mounting brackets 14A, 14B areconfigured to receive the snap features 24, 26, and 28 disposed on thesides 30 of the fiber optic housing 10. As the fiber optic housing 10 isslid into the equipment rack 12, the snap features 24, 26, and 28disposed on the sides 30 of the fiber optic housing 10 selectably engagewith the receivers 18, 20, and 22 of the mounting brackets 14A, 14B andare locked into place, thereby allowing the fiber optic housing 10 to bequickly and easily snapped into place in the equipment rack 11.

The receivers 18, 20, and 22 of the mounting brackets 14A, 14B may takea variety of shapes and sizes, as may the snap features 24, 26, and 28disposed on the sides 30 of the fiber optic housing 10. The receivers18, 20, and 22 may be of any shape and size that correspond to the shapeand size of the snap features 24, 26, and 28 such that the snap features24, 26, and 28 selectably engage with the receivers 18, 20, and 22 ofthe mounting brackets 14A, 14B and are locked into place to hold thefiber optic housing 10 in the equipment rack 11.

The fiber optic housing 10 may also be loaded into the equipment rack 11from the rear of the equipment rack 11. FIG. 1C is a front perspectiveview of the fiber optic housing 10 as it is being mounted to theequipment rack 11 from the rear. FIG. 1D is a front perspective view ofa fiber optic housing 10 after it has been mounted to the equipment rack11 from the rear. The fiber optic housing 10 is snapped into place in asimilar fashion as described above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Thesnap features 24, 26, and 28 on the side 30 of the fiber optic housing10 selectably engage the receivers 18, 20, and 22 of the mountingbrackets 14A, 14B as the fiber optic housing 10 is slid into theequipment rack 11. In this manner, the fiber optic housing 10 may bequickly and easily attached to the mounting brackets 14A, 14B, therebyinstalling the fiber optic housing 10 into the equipment rack 11.

Any type of fiber optic housing having the above described snap featuresmay be quickly and easily mounted in an equipment rack having mountingbrackets with receivers of the type described above. FIG. 1E is a frontperspective view of an alternate embodiment of a fiber optic housing 34being mounted to the equipment rack 11 from the front. FIG. 1F is afront perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the fiber optichousing 34 illustrated in FIG. 1E after being mounted to the equipmentrack 11. The fiber optic housing 34 in FIG. 1E has fiber optic modules36 vertically mounted in the fiber optic housing 34. The fiber optichousings 10 and 34 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F are 4U in this embodiment,but any size fiber optic housing may be mounted in an equipment rackhaving mounting brackets with the receivers disclosed above toselectably engage snap features disposed on the side of the fiber optichousing as disclosed above.

The designation “U” refers to a standard equipment shelf size of a fiberoptic equipment rack or a cabinet. This may also be referred to as “RU.”For example, an equipment rack may support 42 1U-sized shelves, with “U”equal to a standard 1.75 inches in height and nineteen (19) inches inwidth. In certain applications, the width of “U” may be twenty-three(23) inches. Other heights and widths may be designated as “U.”Typically, the more rack space (the more “U's”) a fiber optic housingtakes up, the higher the fiber capacity in the fiber optic housing.

FIG. 1G is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing 34 beingremoved from the equipment rack 11. When the fiber optic housing 34 isremoved from the equipment rack 11, as will be discussed in more detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C and 4, mounting brackets 38A, 38Bremain attached to the equipment rack 11. In this manner, the fiberoptic housing 34 can be easily re-mounted into the equipment rack 11 ata later time if desired. As mentioned above, the mounting brackets 38A,38B may have any number of receivers configured to receive snap featureson a side of the fiber optic housing 34. In the embodiment seen in FIG.1G, the mounting brackets 38A, 38B each have a single circular receiver40.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the fiber optic housing 34 mounted in theequipment rack 11 with a close-up view of snap features disposed on theside 30 of the fiber optic housing 34. The fiber optic housing 34 inthis embodiment has a plurality of snap features 42 disposed on the side30 of the fiber optic housing 34. The snap features 42 in FIG. 2 are ofa half-circle shape and are configured to selectably engage withcorresponding receivers on the mounting brackets attached to theequipment rack 11.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate how a fiber optic housing can be easily removedfrom an equipment rack. In this regard, FIG. 3A is a front perspectiveview of the fiber optic housing 34 mounted in the equipment rack 11.Although the fiber optic housing 34 in FIG. 3A has the fiber opticmodules 36 vertically mounted in the fiber optic housing 34, any type offiber optic housing, including but not limited to the fiber optichousing 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, or the fiber optic housing 10illustrated in FIG. 2, may be mounted into the equipment rack 11 andthen removed.

FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing 34 of FIG.3A illustrating a release tab 44 for removing the fiber optic housing 34from the equipment rack 11. FIG. 3C is a rear perspective view of thefiber optic housing 34 of FIG. 3A being removed from the equipment rack11. Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the release tab 44 is selectablyengaged with an opening 46 in a mounting bracket 48B attached to theequipment rack 11. Although only a single release tab 44 and a singleopening 46 on the mounting bracket 48B are illustrated in FIG. 3C, inone embodiment, there may be a similar opening on a mounting bracket 48Ato receive a release tab similar to the release tab 44 on the other sideof the fiber optic housing 34. In another embodiment, there may bemultiple release tabs 44 for each of the mounting brackets 48A, 48B.

To remove the fiber optic housing 34 from the equipment rack 11, therelease tab 44 is pressed inward by a user in one embodiment, whichcauses the release tab 44 to disengage from the opening 46 on themounting bracket 48B, allowing the fiber optic housing 34 to be removedfrom the equipment rack 11. In one embodiment, the release tab 44 isflexible and resilient, such that it is biased to move from a firstposition to a second position when a force is exerted on the release tab44, and then returns to the first position by itself when the force isno longer exerted. In another embodiment, the release tab 44 may bespring loaded. In the embodiment having two (2) release tabs 44, one oneach side of the fiber optic housing 34, both release tabs 44 may bepressed inward by the user at approximately the same time to remove thefiber optic housing 34 from the equipment rack 11. Although the releasetab 44 is pressed inward in the above embodiments, in other embodiments,the release tab 44 may be lifted up, pulled outward, pressed downward,or manipulated in other ways and/or directions to cause the release tab44 to disengage from the opening 46 on the mounting bracket 48B,allowing the fiber optic housing 34 to be removed from the equipmentrack 11.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a mounting bracket configured to be removablyattached to a side of a fiber optic housing according to an exemplaryembodiment. The mounting bracket 48B in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4 has the opening 46 and slot features 50, 52 on a top surface 53of the mounting bracket 48B. The slot features 50, 52 on the mountingbracket 48B engage with tongue features 54, 55, and 56 on a top surface58 of a side plate 60 of the fiber optic housing 34. The slot features50, 52 on the mounting bracket 48B may be a slot 50 and a tab 52 in oneembodiment, as seen in FIG. 4. The tongue features 54, 55, and 56 may bea protrusion 54 at one end of a raised guide member 55 and a tongue 56at the opposite end of the raised guide member 55 in one embodiment, asseen in FIG. 4. As the fiber optic housing 34 is moved into contact withthe mounting bracket 48B, the top surface 53 of the mounting bracket 48Bslides along the side of the raised guide member 55 until the slot 50mates with the tongue 56 and the tab 52 mates with the protrusion 54. Asthis occurs, the opening 46 of the mounting bracket 48B selectivelyengages with the release tab 44 on the side plate 60 of the fiber optichousing 34. The release tab 44 extends outwards from the side plate 60of the fiber optic housing 34 a sufficient distance to extend out of theopening 46 when the opening 46 selectively engages with the release tab44. If the fiber optic housing 34 is mounted to an equipment rack 11,and a user wishes to remove the fiber optic housing 34 from theequipment rack 11, the release tab 44 may be pressed inward by a user,which causes the release tab 44 to disengage from the opening 46 on themounting bracket 48B, allowing the fiber optic housing 34 to be removedfrom the equipment rack 11.

When the fiber optic housing 34 is removed from the equipment rack 11(as illustrated in FIG. 3C), the mounting brackets 48A, 48B remainattached to the equipment rack 11. Then, if the user wishes tore-install the fiber optic housing 34 in the equipment rack 11, such canbe done quickly and easily. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of thefiber optic housing 34 of FIGS. 3A-3C being re-installed into theequipment rack 11 from the rear of the equipment rack 11. As the fiberoptic housing 34 is slid forward by the user toward the mountingbrackets 48A, 48B attached to the equipment rack 11, the raised guidemember 55 on each side of the top surface 58 of the side plate 60 slidesalong the side of the top surface 53 of the respective mounting brackets48A, 48B until the protrusion 54 on each side plate 60 mates with thetab 52 on the respective mounting bracket 48A or 48B and the tongue 56mates with the slot 50 of the respective mounting bracket 48A or 48B. Asthis occurs, the release tab 44 on each side plate 60 selectivelyengages with the opening 46 of the respective mounting bracket 48A or48B, thereby locking the fiber optic housing 34 into place in theequipment rack 11. The mounting brackets 48A, 48B may be mounted on theequipment rack 11 before sliding the fiber optic housing 34 into theequipment rack 11, as seen in FIG. 5.

However, in other embodiments, the mounting brackets may be snapped ontothe side of the fiber optic housing first. FIG. 6 is a front perspectiveview of a fiber optic housing 62 including a mounting bracket snapattachment feature 66. In this regard, the fiber optic housing 62 has aleft side 64. In one embodiment, the left side 64 of the fiber optichousing 62 has a plurality of mounting bracket snap attachment features66. Although only the left side 64 of the fiber optic housing 62 isillustrated in FIG. 6, the opposite side may also have similar mountingbracket snap attachment features 66. In addition, although theembodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates two (2) mounting bracket snapattachment features 66, any number of mounting bracket snap attachmentfeatures 66 may be used.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, a mounting bracket 68 has aplurality of openings 70 which are configured to fit together with themounting bracket snap attachment features 66 integral to the fiber optichousing 62 to attach the mounting bracket 68 to the fiber optic housing62. The mounting bracket 68 can be removably attached to the fiber optichousing 62 such that the mounting bracket 68 can be removed from thefiber optic housing 62, or the fiber optic housing 62 can be removedfrom the mounting bracket 68, such as when the mounting bracket 68 ismounted to an equipment rack. The number of openings 70 may correspondto the number of mounting bracket snap attachment features 66. Theopenings 70 of the mounting bracket 68 are placed over the mountingbracket snap attachment features 66 and slid toward the back of thefiber optic housing 62 until the mounting bracket snap attachmentfeatures 66 lock, or snap, into place against an edge of the openings70. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket snap attachment features 66fit tightly enough in the openings 70 that there is sufficient frictionbetween the mounting bracket snap attachment features 66 and themounting bracket 68 to form a friction fit. The mounting bracket snapattachment features 66 in FIG. 6 are triangular in shape and theopenings 70 are square in shape, but any shape of mounting bracket snapattachment features 66 and openings 70 can be used that will allow themounting bracket snap attachment features 66 to lock, or snap, into theopenings 70. The mounting bracket 68 can then be easily removed from thefiber optic housing 62 by sliding the mounting bracket 68 back towardthe front of the fiber optic housing 62 until the mounting bracket snapattachment features 66 are within the openings 70, and the mountingbracket 68 can be lifted away from the left side 64 such that themounting bracket snap attachment features 66 pass through the openings70. In another embodiment, the fiber optic housing 62 can be removedfrom the mounting bracket 68 in a similar fashion, such as when themounting bracket 68 is mounted to an equipment rack.

As also illustrated in FIG. 6, the mounting brackets 68 may be one ormore snap-on, removable mounting brackets 68 that are removablyattachable to the side of the fiber optic housing without the use ofscrews or other hardware. In one embodiment, the mounting brackets 68are removably attached to the fiber optic housing 62 using the mountingbracket snap attachment features 66. These mounting bracket snapattachment features 66 can save time during installation. No tools maybe needed for installation of the fiber optic housing 62 to an equipmentrack for tool-less installation, and no additional hardware may beneeded. Thus, a technician need not worry about tools or hardware thatmay be lost or missing. The mounting brackets may be easily changed outwith different designs for different types of equipment racks and fordifferent positions in the equipment racks.

In this manner, the mounting brackets may be removably attached to atleast one of the right side and the left side of the fiber optic housingtool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means. As describedabove, “tool-lessly” as used here means that the set of components isassembled using fastening means, such as snap attachments, that areintegral to one or more of the components in the set of components,rather than external fastening means. Once the set of components isassembled tool-lessly, then the assembled set of components may beattached to another component or device using external fasteners andtools, and even with this use of external fasteners and tools, theassembly of the original set of components is still considered to be“tool-less.” For example, the mounting brackets may be attached to anequipment rack using tools and external fastening means, but themounting brackets may be tool-lessly attached to the fiber optichousing.

FIG. 6 also illustrates rubber entry grommets 72 on the top and bottomrear and front, and left and right sides rear and front of the fiberoptic housing 62. Rubber provides better protection than solidmaterials, especially on the edges, and provides a better seal to keepdust, insects, and rodents out of the housings. The rubber entrygrommets 72 provide entry and exit points for fiber optic cables oroptical fibers to be routed in and out of the fiber optic housing 62 tothe appropriate locations.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a mounting bracket 74 configuredto be removably attached to a side 78 of a fiber optic housing 80according to another exemplary embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cut section ofthe mounting bracket 74 and side 78 of the fiber optic housing 80illustrated in FIG. 7. The mounting bracket 74 in FIGS. 7 and 8 is of adifferent type than the mounting bracket 68 of FIG. 6. In the embodimentof FIGS. 7 and 8, the mounting bracket 74 has a single circular opening76. The mounting bracket 74 may also have a plurality of recesses 75,which allow a space for other apparatuses to be attached to the fiberoptic housing 80. The side 78 of the fiber optic housing 80 has a groove82 configured to receive the mounting bracket 74. The groove 82 extendsa distance down the side 78 that corresponds to a length of the mountingbracket 74. The side 78 has an interior wall with a release tab disposedthereon (similar to an interior wall 84 with a release tab 86illustrated on the opposite side from the side 78). When the mountingbracket 74 is slid into the groove 82 toward the rear of the fiber optichousing 80, the opening 76 will selectively engage with the release tab86 to lock the mounting bracket 74 into place. If it is desired toremove the mounting bracket 74, the release tab 86 can be pressed andthe mounting bracket 74 can be pulled out of the groove 82.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a fiber optic housing 81 includingone or more strain relief brackets 85. One or more snap-on removablestrain relief brackets 85 may be attached to the fiber optic housing 81as illustrated in FIG. 9. In one embodiment, the strain relief brackets85 may be L-shaped, with a flange 83 at one end having a plurality ofholes 87. The holes 87 are for ties such as tyrap or Velcro ties to helpsecure fiber optic cables or optical fibers to the strain reliefbrackets 85. The snap-on removable strain relief brackets 85 can beeasily snapped on to a left side 92 of the fiber optic housing 81 usinga plurality of strain relief bracket snap attachment features 88disposed on the left side 92 of the fiber optic housing 81. In oneembodiment, the plurality of strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures 88 are similar to the plurality of mounting bracket snapattachment features 66 used to removably attach the mounting bracket 68to the fiber optic housing 62 in FIG. 6.

In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9, the left side 92 of thefiber optic housing 81 has a plurality of strain relief bracket snapattachment features 88. Although only the left side 92 of the fiberoptic housing 81 is illustrated in FIG. 9, the opposite side, the rightside, may also have similar strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures 88. In addition, although the embodiment of FIG. 9 illustratestwo (2) strain relief bracket snap attachment features 88, any number ofstrain relief mounting bracket snap attachment features 88 may be used.

With continuing reference to FIG. 9, each strain relief bracket 85 hasat least one opening 90 which is configured to fit together with one ofthe strain relief bracket snap attachment features 88. The opening 90 ofeach strain relief bracket 85 is placed over one of the strain reliefbracket snap attachment features 88 and slid toward the back of thefiber optic housing 81 until the strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeature 88 locks, or snaps, into place against an edge of the opening90. In one embodiment, the strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures 88 fit tightly enough in the openings 90 that there issufficient friction between the strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures 88 and the strain relief bracket 85 to form a friction fit. Thestrain relief bracket snap attachment features 88 in FIG. 9 aretriangular in shape and the openings 90 are square in shape, but anyshape of strain relief bracket snap attachment features 88 and openings90 can be used that will allow the strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures 88 to lock, or snap, into the openings 90. The strain reliefbracket 85 can then be easily removed by sliding the strain reliefbracket 85 back toward the front of the fiber optic housing 81 until thestrain relief bracket snap attachment feature 88 is within the opening90, and the strain relief bracket 85 can be lifted away from the leftside 92 such that the strain relief bracket snap attachment feature 88passes through the opening 90.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the snap-on cable strain relief brackets donot require the use of screws or other hardware to be attached to thefiber optic housing 81. The snap attachment feature saves time duringinstallation. No tools or hardware may be needed. Thus, a technicianneed not worry about tools or hardware that may be lost or missing. Inaddition, the strain relief brackets may be easily changed out fordifferent strain relief applications. In this manner, the strain reliefbrackets may be removably attached to at least one of the right side andthe left side of the fiber optic housing tool-lessly, and by other thanexternal fastening means. As described above, “tool-lessly” as used heremeans that the strain relief brackets are attached to the fiber optichousing fastening means, such as snap attachments, that are integral toone or more of the components in the set of components, rather than byusing external fastening means.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a fiber optic housing 94 and astrain relief bracket 96. In FIG. 10, an alternate type of strain reliefbracket and an alternate type of strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeature are illustrated. FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a close-up view ofthe fiber optic housing 94 and strain relief bracket 96 illustrated inFIG. 10. In one embodiment, the strain relief bracket 96 may be attachedto the fiber optic housing 94 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B.In one embodiment, the strain relief bracket 96 may be L-shaped, with aflange 98 at one end having a plurality of holes 100. The holes 100 maybe of any shape and are configured to receive ties such as tyrap orVelcro ties to help secure fiber optic cables or optical fibers to thestrain relief bracket 96. The snap-on removable strain relief brackets96 may also comprise a plurality of openings 102 and 104. In theembodiments seen in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, there are a pair ofkeyhole-shaped openings 102 and a pair of U-shaped openings 104.However, there may be any number and any shape of openings in otherembodiments.

The strain relief bracket 96 can be easily snapped onto a right side 95of the fiber optic housing 94 using a plurality of strain relief bracketsnap attachment features 106, 108, and 110 disposed on the right side 95of the fiber optic housing 94. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 11B,the plurality of strain relief bracket snap attachment features 106,108, and 110 comprise a pair of half-moon-shaped snap attachmentfeatures 106 with a lip 107, a U-shaped snap attachment feature 108 withraised edges 109, and a release button 110. The plurality of strainrelief bracket snap attachment features 106, 108, and 110 may be used toremovably attach the strain relief bracket 96 to the fiber optic housing94 in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B.

In one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 10, the right side 95 of thefiber optic housing 94 has the plurality of strain relief bracket snapattachment features 106, 108, and 110. Although only the right side 95of the fiber optic housing 94 is illustrated in FIG. 10, the oppositeside may also have similar strain relief bracket snap attachmentfeatures. In addition, any number of strain relief mounting bracket snapattachment features may be used. The strain relief bracket 96 in FIG. 10may be easily snapped onto the right side 95 of the fiber optic housing94 by placing the pair of keyhole-shaped openings 102 over the pair ofhalf-moon-shaped snap attachment features 106 and the pair of U-shapedopenings 104 over the U-shaped snap attachment feature 108 and therelease button 110 and then sliding the strain relief bracket 96 towardthe front of the fiber optic housing 94 (to the left in FIG. 10). Thelip 107 on each of the half-moon-shaped snap attachment features 106will help lock the half-moon-shaped snap attachment features 106 intothe keyhole-shaped openings 102, as seen in FIG. 11B. The U-shaped snapattachment feature 108 with raised edges 109 will selectably engage withone of the U-shaped openings 104 and the release button 110 willselectably engage with the other one of the U-shaped openings 104.

FIG. 11A illustrates the strain relief bracket 96 snapped into place onthe right side 95 of the fiber optic housing 94. Referring to FIG. 11B,in one embodiment, the strain relief bracket 96 can then be easilyremoved by pressing the release button 110. The release button 110 iscoupled to the U-shaped snap attachment feature 108 with raised edges109 such that when the release button 110 is pressed, the raised edges109 of the U-shaped attachment feature 108 are disengaged with theU-shaped opening 104. A user may then slide the strain relief bracket 96back toward the rear of the fiber optic housing 94 (to the right in FIG.10 or FIG. 11A) to remove the strain relief bracket 96. FIG. 12 is a cutsection of the strain relief bracket 96 and the back of a left side 97of the fiber optic housing 94 in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, illustratinghow the strain relief bracket 96 is mounted to the fiber optic housing94 using the snap attachment features disclosed above.

FIG. 13 is a partial, rear, perspective view of a fiber optic housing112 illustrating a strain relief bracket 114 with fiber optic cablesaccording to one embodiment. The fiber optic housing 112 may be any typeof fiber optic housing. The strain relief brackets 114 having aplurality of openings 116 may be mounted to the fiber optic housing 112using the snap attachment features disclosed above in FIGS. 9, 10, 11A,and 11B. FIG. 13 illustrates how the removable strain relief brackets114 allow fiber optic cables to enter at any angle. In the embodiment ofFIG. 13, buffer tubes 118A and 118B each containing one or more opticalfibers 120A and 120B, respectively, may be tied to the strain reliefbrackets 114 by means of a fastener 122 that is routed through theopenings 116 of the strain relief brackets 114 to tie the buffer tubes118A and 118B to the strain relief brackets 114. Although buffer tubes118A and 118B are illustrated in FIG. 13, any sort of fiber optic cableor optical fiber can be fastened to the strain relief brackets 114. Thefastener 122 may be any suitable fastener, including but not limited toa tywrap, a Velcro tie, or a plastic fastener, that will tie the buffertubes 118A and 118B, or other fiber optic cable or optical fiber, to thestrain relief brackets 114. With traditional strain relief brackets,fiber optic cables can enter the fiber optic housing 112 at only asingle angle, but with the snap-on removable strain relief brackets 114disclosed above, the fiber optic cables may enter at any angle, anddifferent fiber optic cables may enter at multiple angles, asillustrated in FIG. 13.

Embodiments disclosed below include fiber optic housings configured fortool-less assembly, and related components and methods. In oneembodiment, a fiber optic housing is provided having a top, a bottom, aright side, and a left side which removably attach to each othertool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means, therebydefining at least one interior chamber configured to support fiber opticequipment. The top, bottom, right side, and left side of the fiber optichousing may be removably attached to each other by using a snapattachment integral to at least one of the bottom, the right side, andthe left side. In an embodiment, the fiber optic housing further has oneor more mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets, which may beattached to the fiber optic housing by other than external fasteningmeans. In another embodiment, the mounting brackets and/or strain reliefbrackets may be attached to a side of the fiber optic housing by using aquick snap attachment integral to at least one of the side of the fiberoptic housing and the mounting brackets and/or strain relief brackets.

In this regard, FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a fiber optichousing 124 with a front door 126 closed. The fiber optic housing 124 inFIG. 14 may be a seven inch fiber optic housing for the local areanetwork (LAN) and data center environment. The fiber optic housing 124in FIG. 14 may be mountable in 19- or 23-inch equipment racks orcabinets. The fiber optic housing 124 in FIG. 14 may provideinterconnect or cross-connect capabilities between the outside plant,riser, or distribution cables and the opto-electronics.

FIG. 15 illustrates exploded and assembled front perspective views of anexemplary embodiment of the fiber optic housing 124. FIG. 15 illustratesa quick fit assembly of the components of the fiber optic housing 124,particularly, a top panel 128, a bottom panel 130, a left side panel132, and a right side panel 134, which are configured to be quickly andeasily assembled with little or no tools. The top panel 128, the bottompanel 130, the left side panel 132, and the right side panel 134 mayalso be referred to as the top, the bottom, the left side, and the rightside, respectively. The top panel 128, the bottom panel 130, the leftside panel 132, and the right side panel 134 together define at leastone interior chamber 135 of the fiber optic housing 124 configured tosupport fiber optic equipment. In this embodiment, each of the top panel128, the bottom panel 130, the left side panel 132, and the right sidepanel 134 of the fiber optic housing 124 further includes snapattachment features configured to snap the components together, asdescribed more fully below.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the bottom panel 130 has side extensions136, 138 that extend upward in a direction approximately perpendicularto the bottom panel 130. Likewise, the top panel 128 has side extensions140, 142 that extend downward in a direction approximately perpendicularto the top panel 128. The side extensions 136, 138 of the bottom panel130 and the side extensions 140, 142 of the top panel 128 each have aplurality of snap attachments 144 disposed thereon (though only the snapattachments 144 disposed on the side extension 136 of the bottom panel130 and the snap attachments 144 disposed on the side extension 140 ofthe top panel 128 can be seen in FIG. 15). These snap attachments 144may be raised from a surface of the side extensions 136, 138, 140, and142. The left side panel 132 may have a plurality of snap attachmentreceivers 146 at a top edge 148 and a bottom edge 150 of the left sidepanel 132. Although not seen in FIG. 15, the right side panel 134 mayhave similar snap attachment receivers 146 at a top edge and at a bottomedge.

The snap attachment receivers 146 at the top edge 148 of the left sidepanel 132 are configured to receive the snap attachments 144 disposed onthe side extension 140 of the top panel 128. The snap attachmentreceivers 146 at the bottom edge 150 of the left side panel 132 areconfigured to receive the snap attachments 144 disposed on the sideextension 136 of the bottom panel 130. In this manner, the left sidepanel 132 may be tool-lessly attached to the top panel 128 and thebottom panel 130. The right side panel 134 may be similarly attached tothe top panel 128 and the bottom panel 130 using snap attachmentreceivers on a top edge and a bottom edge to receive snap attachments onthe side extension 142 of the top panel 128 and the side extension 138of the bottom panel 130, respectively. In this manner, the top panel128, the bottom panel 130, the left side panel 132, and the right sidepanel 134 may be assembled together into the fiber optic housing 124quickly and easily with little or no tools.

The snap attachments 144 and the snap attachment receivers 146 may beany size and shape as long as the snap attachment receivers 146 are of asize and shape that allows the snap attachments 144 to fit and snap intothe snap attachment receivers 146 in a manner that the components of thefiber optic housing 124 are assembled together in a sturdy fashion.

The assembled fiber optic housing 124 can be quickly and easilyunassembled by detaching the top panel 128, the bottom panel 130, theleft side panel 132 and the right side panel 134 from each othertool-lessly.

The quick fit assembly allows the components of the fiber optic housing124 to be shipped in smaller packaging, saving shipping cost and storagespace. In one embodiment, an end user can assemble the fiber optichousing 124 at the time of use, such as at the installation location. Inone embodiment, an end user can assemble the fiber optic housing 124with little or no tools. Additionally, the quick fit assembly makesfield repairs a possibility with the purchase of repair kits, and allowsthe fiber optic housing 124 to be transformed in the field by replacingcomponents with ones that provide a different function.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exploded front perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of a fiber optic housing 152. FIG. 16 illustrates analternate embodiment of the fiber optic housing 152 that can beassembled easily and quickly with little or no tools. FIG. 16illustrates a quick fit assembly of the components of the fiber optichousing 152, particularly, an inside top panel 154, a bottom panel 156,a left side panel 158, and a right side panel 160, which are configuredto be quickly and easily assembled with little or no tools. The insidetop panel 154, the bottom panel 156, the left side panel 132, and theright side panel 160 together define at least one interior chamber 161of the fiber optic housing 152 configured to support fiber opticequipment. In this regard, each of the inside top panel 154, the bottompanel 156, the left side panel 158, and the right side panel 160includes snap attachment features configured to snap the componentstogether. In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 152 may alsoinclude a cover plate 162 for the inside top panel 154.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 16, the bottom panel 156 has sideflanges 164, 166 on each side of the bottom panel 156 that extend upwardin a direction approximately perpendicular to the bottom panel 156. Theside flanges 164, 166 of the bottom panel 156 each have one or morereceivers 168A, 168B disposed on the side flanges 164, 166. The insidetop panel 154 has side flanges 170, 172 on each side of the inside toppanel 154 that extend downward in a direction approximatelyperpendicular to the inside top panel 154. The side flanges 170, 172 ofthe inside top panel 154 each have one or more receivers 174 disposed onthe side flanges 170, 172. Although FIG. 16 illustrates the side flanges164, 166 of the bottom panel 156 each having two (2) receivers 168A,168B, and the side flanges 170, 172 of the inside top panel 154 eachhaving one receiver 174, any number of receivers like the receivers168A, 168B may be disposed on the side flanges 164, 166 of the bottompanel 156 and any number of receivers 174 may be disposed on the sideflanges 170, 172 of the inside top panel 154. The inside top panel 154also has a plurality of standoffs 176 on its top surface. In theembodiment of FIG. 16, the inside top panel 154 has two (2) standoffs176 on a left edge 178 of the inside top panel 154, one toward a frontedge 180 of the inside top panel 154, and one toward a back edge 182 ofthe inside top panel 154. The inside top panel 154 of FIG. 16 also hastwo standoffs 176 on a right edge 184 of the inside top panel 154, onetoward the front edge 180 of the inside top panel 154 and one toward theback edge 182 of the inside top panel 154. The standoffs 176 are alsoused together with the receivers 168A, 168B, 174 to attach the insidetop panel 154 to the left side panel 158 and to the right side panel160.

The left side panel 158 may include a plurality of snap attachments186A, 186B, and 186C. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the left side panel158 has two (2) snap attachments 186A, 186B on a bottom portion 188 ofan interior side 190 of the left side panel 158, one toward a frontportion 192 of the left side panel 158 and one toward a rear portion 194of the left side panel 158. The left side panel 158 also has at leastone snap attachment 186C on a top portion 196 of the interior side 190of the left side panel 158 toward the front portion 192 of the left sidepanel 158. The snap attachments 186A, 186B, and 186C in the embodimentof FIG. 16 are half-moon-shaped with a lip. In other embodiments, thenumber, location, and shape of the snap attachments 186A, 186B, and 186Cmay vary in order to correspond to the receivers 168A, 168B on the sideflanges 164 and 166 of the bottom panel 156 and the receivers 174 on theside flanges 170, 172 of the inside top panel 154. The left side panel158 also may include a top flange 198 and a bottom flange 200. The topflange 198 may have a plurality of grooves 202 disposed thereon. In theembodiment of FIG. 16, the top flange 198 has two (2) grooves 202 towarda front portion 204 of the top flange 198. In one embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 16, the grooves 202 are L-shaped, but other shapesmay also be used.

With continued reference to FIG. 16, the right side panel 160 issymmetrical to the left side panel 158 and may also include a pluralityof snap attachments 186A and 186B, a top flange 205 having a pluralityof grooves 206, and a bottom flange 208. The left side panel 158 and theright side panel 160 may be tool-lessly attached to the bottom panel 156quickly and easily. The left side panel 158 may be attached to the sideflange 164 of the bottom panel 156 by positioning the snap attachments186A, 186B on the left side panel 158 within the receivers 168A, 168B onthe side flange 164 of the bottom panel 156 and sliding the left sidepanel 158 toward the back of the bottom panel 156 until the snapattachments 186A, 186B snap, or lock, into place within the receivers168A, 168B. The bottom flange 200 will be positioned under the bottompanel 156 as the left side panel 158 is attached to the bottom panel156. In the embodiment seen in FIG. 16, the receivers 168A, 168B arekeyhole-shaped and correspond to the half-moon shaped snap attachments186A, 186B. However, the snap attachments 186A, 186B and the receivers168A, 168B may be any shape as long as the receivers 168A, 168Bcorrespond to the snap attachments 186A, 186B such that the snapattachments 186A, 186B snap, or lock, into place within the receivers168A, 168B. In one embodiment, the receivers 168A, 168B are slightlylarger at one end than the snap attachments 186A, 186B so that the snapattachments 186A, 186B may fit into the receivers 168A, 168B,respectively.

The right side panel 160 may be attached to the side flange 166 of thebottom panel 156 in a fashion similar to that disclosed above forattaching the left side panel 158 to the side flange 164 of the bottompanel 156.

Still referring to FIG. 16, as well as to FIG. 18, the inside top panel154 may be tool-lessly attached to the left side panel 158 and the rightside panel 160 quickly and easily. FIG. 18 is a close up frontperspective view illustrating details of how the inside top panel 154 ofthe fiber optic housing 152 of FIGS. 16, 17A and 17B is connected to aside panel 158, 160 of the fiber optic housing 152. To do so, a userwill slide the inside top panel 154 from the front of the left sidepanel 158 and the right side panel 160 toward the back of the left sidepanel 158 and the right side panel 160 such that the inside top panel154 slides under the top flange 198 of the left side panel 158 and underthe top flange 205 of the right side panel 160. The inside top panel 154is positioned such that the receiver 174 on the side flange 170 of theinside top panel 154 is aligned with the snap attachment 186C located atthe top portion 196 of the left side panel 158, which will also alignthe standoffs 176 on the left edge 178 of the inside top panel 154 withthe grooves 202 on the top flange 198 of the left side panel 158. Theinside top panel 154 should also be positioned such that the receiver174 on the side flange 172 of the inside top panel 154 is aligned withthe snap attachment 186C located at the top portion of the right sidepanel 160, which will also align the standoffs 176 on the right edge 184of the inside top panel 154 with the grooves 206 on the top flange 205of the right side panel 160. Once the inside top panel is aligned, theinside top panel 154 can be snapped onto the left side panel 158 and theright side panel 160 by snapping, or locking, the snap attachments 186Cinto the receivers 174 and the standoffs 176 into the grooves 202 and206 (as seen in the close-up insets of FIG. 18).

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18, the receivers 174are keyhole-shaped in order to correspond to the half-moon shaped snapattachments 186C. However, the snap attachments 186C and the receivers174 may be any shape as long as the receivers 174 correspond to the snapattachments 186C such that the snap attachments 186C snap, or lock, intoplace within the receivers 174. In one embodiment, the receivers 174 areslightly larger at one end than the snap attachments 186C so that thesnap attachments 186C may fit into the receivers 174. Likewise, thestandoffs 176 and the grooves 202 and 206 may be any size and shape aslong as the standoffs 176 will lock into place in the grooves 202 and206.

In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 18, the side flanges 170 and172 of the inside top panel 154 may also include one or more cut outsections 209, sometimes known as crenels. The left side panel 158 mayalso include one or more protrusions 210, sometimes known as merlons, onthe interior side 190 of the left side panel 158 toward the frontportion 192 of the left side panel 158. In one embodiment, the merlons210 are located directly beneath the snap attachment 186C. The rightside panel 160 may have similar merlons 210 on its interior side. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 18, when the inside top panel 154 ispositioned such that the receiver 174 on the side flange 170 of theinside top panel 154 is aligned with the snap attachment 186C located atthe top portion 196 of the left side panel 158, the crenels 209 of theside flange 170 of the inside top panel 154 are also aligned with themerlons 210 of the left side panel 158. Then, when the inside top panel154 is locked into place (such as by sliding the inside top panel 154toward the front portion 192 of the left side panel 158, as indicated bythe arrow in FIG. 18), the snap attachment 186C is locked into thereceiver 174 and the merlons 210 interlock with the crenels 209 toprovide additional stability for the attachment between the inside toppanel 154 and the left side panel 158 and the right side panel 160.

FIG. 17A is an assembled front perspective view of the fiber optichousing 152 of FIG. 16. Once the left side panel 158 and the right sidepanel 160 have been tool-lessly attached to the bottom panel 156 and theinside top panel 154 has been tool-lessly attached to the left sidepanel 158 and the right side panel 160, the fiber optic housing 152 hasbeen tool-lessly assembled, as illustrated in FIG. 17A.

The assembled fiber optic housing 152 can be quickly and easilyunassembled by detaching the inside top panel 154, the bottom panel 156,the left side panel 158, and the right side panel 160 from each othertool-lessly.

In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 152 may also include thecover plate 162 (as seen in FIG. 16) for the inside top panel 154. Asseen in FIG. 16, the cover plate 162 may have a plurality of openings212 configured such that when the cover plate 162 is positioned over theinside top panel 154, the openings 212 fit over the standoffs 176 on theinside top panel 154 in order to provide a gap between the inside toppanel 154 and the cover plate 162. FIG. 17B is an assembled frontperspective view of the fiber optic housing 152 of FIG. 17A with thecover plate 162 attached. In one embodiment, the cover plate 162 may beattached to the assembled fiber optic housing 152 by means of fasteners,with screws being one non-limiting example. In one embodiment, thefasteners extend through the grooves 202, 206 to attach the cover plate162 to the right and left side panels 158, 160.

Embodiments disclosed below include fiber optic housings having aremovable top, and related components and methods. In one embodiment, afiber optic housing is provided having a removable top. In oneembodiment, the fiber optic housing comprises a top, a bottom, a rightside, and a left side defining at least one interior chamber configuredto support fiber optic equipment. The top comprises a base and a coverin one embodiment. The top is configured to provide a gap between thebase and the cover such that at least one of the right side and the leftside of the fiber optic housing is configured to be slidably engagedinto and out of the gap. In this manner, the top can be easily removedto provide access to the interior of the fiber optic housing.

In this regard, FIGS. 19A-21B disclose another embodiment, in which aremovable top for a fiber optic housing is disclosed. The removable topallows easy access to internal features of the fiber optic housing atinitial installation or afterwards. The removable top thus may providean advantage over current fiber optic housing designs which are notremovable since the removable top allows the technician or user easyaccess and a clear view of the working area inside the fiber optichousing. FIG. 19A illustrates the removable top as it slides out of thefiber optic housing. FIG. 19B illustrates the fiber optic housing afterthe removable top has been removed.

In one embodiment, the removable top on the fiber optic housing consistsof a base and a cover plate capable of being fastened with pop-rivets orscrews. In one embodiment, the removable top may be shaped in a way toprovide a gap between the base and cover into which the side panel onthe housing can slide. The side panel of the fiber optic housing has arelease tab that engages and locks the removable top in place. In oneembodiment, the removable top is made from any satisfactory metal. Inother embodiments, the removable top can be one piece made out ofplastic. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19A-21B, the release tabis round, but the release tab can be different shapes in otherembodiments. In one embodiment, the release tab may be located on a topside of the removable top, or on an underside of the removable top.

FIG. 19A is a rear perspective view of a fiber optic housing 214 havinga removable top 222 according to one embodiment. The fiber optic housing214 has a bottom 216, a right side 218, and a left side 220. The bottom216, the right side 218, and the left side 220 together define at leastone interior chamber 221 of the fiber optic housing 214 configured tosupport fiber optic equipment. The fiber optic housing 214 alsocomprises the removable top 222 in this embodiment. In one embodiment,the fiber optic housing 214 may be assembled by attaching the bottom216, the right side 218, the left side 220, and the removable top 222.In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 214 may be assembledtool-lessly as disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 14-18. However, inother embodiments, the fiber optic housing 214 need not be assembledtool-lessly to have the removable top 222 as described herein.

The removable top 222 comprises a base 224 and a cover plate 226. Thecover plate 226 is attached to the base 224 such that a gap 228 existsbetween the base 224 and the cover plate 226. The right side 218 maycomprise a top flange 229. The left side 220 may comprise a top flange230. The gap 228 between the base 224 and the cover plate 226 may be ofa size that corresponds to the thickness of the top flanges 229 and 230.In this manner, the removable top 222 may slide on and off the rightside 218 and the left side 220, where the gap 228 between the base 224and the cover plate 226 allows the cover plate 226 of the removable top222 to pass over the top flanges 229, 230 and the base 224 of theremovable top 222 to pass under the top flanges 229, 230. One or both ofthe top flanges 229, 230 may have a release tab 232. The cover plate 226may have one or more holes 234 configured to receive the release tab(s)232 when the removable top 222 is slid onto the right side 218 and theleft side 220. As the removable top 222 is slid onto the right side 218and the left side 220, the release tab(s) 232 selectably engages withthe hole(s) 234 to hold the removable top 222 in place in the fiberoptic housing 214. If it is desired to remove the removable top 222, theuser will press the release tab(s) 232 down, allowing the release tab(s)232 to be disengaged from the hole(s) 234 and allowing the removable top222 to be slid out from the fiber optic housing 214. In one embodiment,the release tab 232 is flexible and resilient, such that it is biased tomove from a first position to a second position when a force is exertedon the release tab 232, and then returns to the first position by itselfwhen the force is no longer exerted. In another embodiment, the releasetab 232 may be spring loaded. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 19A,the release tab 232 is accessible from the top of the removable top 222.Although the release tab 232 is pressed downward in the aboveembodiments, in other embodiments, the release tab 232 may be lifted up,pulled outward, pressed inward, or manipulated in other ways and/ordirections to cause the release tab 232 to disengage from the hole(s)234 and allow the removable top 222 to be slid out from the fiber optichousing 214.

FIG. 19A illustrates the removable top 222 sliding out of the fiberoptic housing 214. FIG. 19B is a rear perspective view of the fiberoptic housing 214 of FIG. 19A after the removable top 222 is removed.This allows the user or technician access to the fiber optic cables,modules, cassettes, optical fibers, or other fiber optic apparatusesinside the fiber optic housing 214. FIG. 19C illustrates an alternateembodiment of the release tab 232. In this embodiment, the release tab232 is accessible from an underside 235 of the removable top 222. Inanother embodiment, the release tab 232 may be located on a top side ofthe removable top 222.

FIG. 20A illustrates an exploded front perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the removable top 222. FIG. 20A illustrates how theremovable top 222 of FIG. 19A is assembled according to one embodiment.The removable top 222 is assembled using the base 224 and the coverplate 226. The base 224 may have a plurality of standoffs 236 disposedon its top surface. In the embodiment of FIG. 20A, the base 224 has aplurality of standoffs 236 arranged along a front edge 238 of the base224, a plurality of standoffs 236 arranged in a middle portion 240 ofthe base 224, and a plurality of standoffs along a back edge 242 of thebase 224. The cover plate 226 has a plurality of openings 244 thatcorrespond to the plurality of standoffs 236 in one embodiment. In theembodiment of FIG. 20A, the cover plate 226 has a plurality of openings244 arranged along a front edge 246 of the cover plate 226, a pluralityof openings 244 arranged in a middle portion 248 of the cover plate 226,and a plurality of openings 244 along a back edge 374 of the cover plate226. The number of standoffs 236 and openings 244 may vary.

The standoffs 236 may be a predetermined height in one embodiment. Inone embodiment, the standoffs 236 may be between approximately oneeighth (⅛) of an inch tall and approximately one half (½) of an inchtall. In one embodiment, the standoffs 236 may be approximately onequarter (¼) of an inch tall. The cover plate 226 is attached to the base224 by placing the openings 244 over the corresponding standoffs 236 inorder to form the removable top 222 of FIGS. 19A and 20B (discussedbelow). In one embodiment, the standoffs 236 are configured to receivescrews or other fasteners that will affix the cover plate 226 to thebase 224. In one embodiment, the base 224 may also have cutout sections376 that are configured to receive rubber grommets 378. The rubbergrommets 378 can be used for access for fiber optic cables or opticalfibers to be routed into and out of the fiber optic housing 214.

When the cover plate 226 is attached to the base 224 to form theremovable top 222, the standoffs 236 help form the gap 228 between thebase 224 and the cover plate 226 as seen in FIGS. 19A and 20A. The gap228 allows the removable top 222 to be slid on and off of the fiberoptic housing 214.

FIG. 20B illustrates an assembled front perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the fiber optic housing 214 of FIG. 19A as the removabletop 222 is being reinstalled into the fiber optic housing 214. As seenin FIG. 20B, the removable top 222 can be slid back onto the fiber optichousing 214 such that the gap 228 allows the cover plate 226 of theremovable top 222 to pass over the top flanges 229 and 230 of the rightside 218 and left side 220 of the fiber optic housing 214 and the base224 of the removable top 222 to pass under the top flanges 229, 230.

FIG. 21A is a side view section cut of a side panel (such as the rightside 218 or the left side 220 of the fiber optic housing 214 of FIGS.19A and 20A) of a fiber optic housing configured to receive theremovable top 222 of FIGS. 19A, 20A, and 20B. FIG. 21B is a side view ofthe gap 228 in the removable top 222 of FIGS. 19A, 20A, and 20Bconfigured to receive the side panel of the fiber optic housing. Asdiscussed above, the right side 218 in FIG. 21A has a top flange 229 ofa thickness that corresponds to the gap 228 between the base 224 and thecover plate 226 of the removable top 222. As illustrated in FIG. 21B,the gap 228 is configured to correspond to the thickness of the topflange 229 such that the removable top 222 can slide along the topflange 229, with the gap 228 receiving the top flange 229. In thismanner, the removable top 222 can be reinstalled into the fiber optichousing 214.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of a fiber optic housing 256illustrating rubber entry grommets 264, 266. The fiber optic housing 256may be of any type and can be assembled in any manner. In oneembodiment, the fiber optic housing 256 has a bottom (not illustrated inFIG. 22), a left side 258, a right side (not illustrated in FIG. 22),and a top 260. The fiber optic housing 256 also comprises a front door262 in this embodiment. In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 256may be assembled by attaching the bottom, the left side 258, the rightside, and the top 260. In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 256may be assembled tool-lessly as disclosed above with respect to FIGS.14-18. However, in other embodiments, the fiber optic housing 256 neednot be assembled tool-lessly. The top 260 may or may not comprise aremovable top as disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 19A-21B. Thefiber optic housing 256 has a plurality of rubber grommets 264 and 266.In one embodiment, the fiber optic housing 256 may have rubber grommets264 or 266 on the top and bottom rear and front, and left and rightsides rear and front of the fiber optic housing 256. The rubber grommets264, 266 may be in the form of a single piece of rubber, like the rubbergrommets 264, or they may be part of a jumper management device, likethe rubber grommets 266, which are disclosed in more detail below withrespect to FIGS. 29 and 31-34. The rubber grommets may be of any shape,including but not limited to rectangles, like the rubber grommets 264,or circles, like the rubber grommets 266. Rubber provides betterprotection than solid materials, especially on the edges, and provides abetter seal to keep dust, insects, and rodents out of the housings. Inone embodiment, the rubber grommets 264, 266 may be easily removed toprovide entry and exit points for fiber optic cables or optical fibersto be routed in and out of the fiber optic housing 256 to theappropriate locations.

FIG. 23 is a partial, front perspective view of the fiber optic housing256 of FIG. 22. The fiber optic housing 256 may include molded inflexible edge protection. A molded in flexible edge protection piece 268is located around an opening 270 on one or more sides 272 of the fiberoptic housing 256, as illustrated in FIG. 23. Fiber optic jumper cablesor other fiber optic cables or optical fibers (not illustrated in FIG.23) may be routed out of the fiber optic housing 256 through the opening270, and the molded in flexible edge protection piece 268 offersprotection for the fiber optic jumper cables. In addition, one or moreside grommets 274 are molded onto the solid material of the side 272 fora strong bond with the lowest profile possible. The side grommets 274also offer access points for fiber optic jumper cables or other fiberoptic cables or optical fibers to be routed into or out of the fiberoptic housing 256.

The rubber grommets disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 22 and 23allow for the routing of various fiber optic cables and optical fibersin and out of fiber optic housings. The fiber optic housings may alsoinclude various features to help better route and manage the fiber opticcables and optical fibers in and around the fiber optic housings. In oneembodiment, the fiber optic housing may have a removable front section.The removable front section allows the fiber optic housing to be usedfor different applications and/or designs, as examples, where no jumpermanagement is needed, or where a sealed version may be required.Further, the removable front section may comprise a removable frontjumper management device with pass-through grommets. Fiber optic cablesmay be allowed to pass through using the pass-through grommets whilekeeping the fiber management within the housing envelope. When removed,it allows for a greater volume of fiber jumpers to exit from the top andbottom, without sacrificing the space above the unit. Additionally, itallows pass-through of fiber optic cables or optical fibers on the topand bottom, instead of the top only like previous designs.

In this regard, embodiments disclosed below include removable fibermanagement sections for fiber optic housings, and related components andmethods. In one embodiment, a fiber optic system is provided. The fiberoptic system comprises a fiber optic housing defining at least oneinterior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment. The fiberoptic system also comprises a removable front section connected to thefiber optic housing and defining at least one front section interiorchamber coupled to the at least one interior chamber of the fiber optichousing. The removable front section is configured to support at leastone fiber management device to manage one or more optical fibersconnected to fiber optic equipment disposed in the fiber optic housing.

In this regard, FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of a fiberoptic housing 276 with a removable front section 278 and perspectiveviews of two (2) removable front section versions. The fiber optichousing 276 defines an interior chamber 279 configured to support fiberoptic equipment. The removable front section 278 also defines a frontsection interior chamber 281 to support fiber management components formanaging one or more optical fibers connected to the fiber opticequipment supported by the fiber optic housing 276, as will be discussedin more detail below. In this embodiment, the removable front section278 is attached to the fiber optic housing 276. The removable frontsection 278 can also be removed from the fiber optic housing 276 when nolonger needed or desired. Optical fibers can be managed in fibermanagement components disposed in the removable front section 278 beforeor after the removable front section 278 is attached to the fiber optichousing 276. Further, optical fibers routed in fiber management devicesdisposed in the removable front section 278 can be unrouted or removedbefore or after the removable front section 278 is detached from thefiber optic housing 276.

The removable front section 278 may come in different versions. In oneembodiment, the removable front section 278 may include fiber managementcomponents in the form of a plurality of front jumper management devices280 and an opening 270 disposed on both sides of the removable frontsection 278. The front jumper management devices 280 allow opticalfibers that are connected to fiber optic equipment supported in thefiber optic housing 276 to be routed and maintained. The removable frontsection 278 can be employed to provide capacity for employing such afiber management component when the fiber optic housing 276 is eithernot able or is not configured to provide sufficient additional room forfiber management components. The openings 270 are both configured toprovide fiber management by being configured to route one or moreoptical fibers connected to fiber optic equipment in the fiber optichousing 276 outside of the fiber optic housing 276 and to the sides ofthe removable front section 278. When optical fibers are not routedthrough the openings 270, a rubber seal 286 can be disposed in theopenings 270, as exemplified by the removable front section 278B. Therubber seal 286 can fit in the place of the openings 270 in theremovable front section 278A to provide protection for the inside of thefiber optic housing 276 and to keep dust, insects, rodents, and otherthings out of the fiber optic housing 276.

In this embodiment, the opening 270 includes a molded in flexible edgeprotection piece 268, as exemplified by the removable front section278A. The flexible edge protection piece 268 protects optical fibersrouted or otherwise disposed through the openings 270 from being damagedby kinking or bending against the edges of the openings 270 which may besharp, especially if the fiber optic housing 276 is constructed fromsheet metal as an example. The flexible edge protection piece 268 may bemade from any type of material desired, including any type of polymer,rubber, plastic, etc. The flexible edge protection piece 268 may also beremovable.

Fiber optic jumper cables or other fiber optic cables or optical fibers(not illustrated in FIG. 24) may be routed out of the fiber optichousing 276 through the opening 270, and the molded in flexible edgeprotection piece 268 offers protection for the fiber optic jumpercables. The front jumper management devices 280 aid in fiber managementand routing, as will be described in more detail below, with respect toFIGS. 29-34. The front jumper management devices 280 may be easilyremovable in one embodiment. The front jumper management devices 280 maybe located on a top portion 282 and/or on a bottom portion 284 of theremovable front section 278.

In another embodiment, the removable front section 278 may also includea fiber management component in the form of a plurality of front jumpermanagement devices 280 to route optical fibers along and through thebottom and top panels 298, 290 of the removable front section 278. Aswill also be discussed in more detail below with regard to FIGS. 31-33,the front jumper management devices 280 may include a plurality of fiberrouting guides in the form of routing clips 356 (see also FIG. 31)configured to route optical fibers connected to fiber optic equipmentsupported in the fiber optic housing 276. As will also be discussed inmore detail below with regard to FIGS. 31-33, the front jumpermanagement devices 280 may also include openings to allow optical fibersto be routed through bottom and top sections 290, 298 away from theremovable front section 278. Although in the embodiment of FIG. 24, theremovable front section 278A also has front jumper management devices280, in other embodiments, the removable front section 278A or 278B maynot have any front jumper management devices 280, or may have less frontjumper management devices 280.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded, front perspective view of the removablefront section 278 of a fiber optic housing. The removable front section278 has a base 288 which is attached to a bottom panel 290. A pluralityof clips 292 for routing optical fibers may be configured to be attachedto the bottom panel 290 of the base 288. A left side panel 294 with anopening 270 having a molded in flexible edge protection piece 268 isconfigured to be attached to the bottom panel 290. A symmetrical rightside panel 296 with an opening 270 having a molded in flexible edgeprotection piece 268 is also configured to be attached to the bottompanel 290. In one embodiment, the left side panel 294 and the right sidepanel 296 may be attached to the bottom panel 290 tool-lessly in amanner as described above with respect to FIGS. 14-18.

With continued reference to FIG. 25, a top panel 298 having a pluralityof standoffs 300 disposed on its top surface is configured to beattached to the left side panel 294 and to the right side panel 296. Inone embodiment, the top panel 298 may be attached to the left side panel294 and to the right side panel 296 tool-lessly in a manner as describedabove with respect to FIGS. 14-18. Alternative fiber managementcomponents in the form of a plurality of clips 292 for routing opticalfibers may be configured to be attached to the top panel 298 for routingoptical fibers. A cover plate 302 having openings 304 disposed thereonis configured to be attached to the top panel 298. The openings 304 onthe cover plate 302 are configured to fit over the standoffs 300 on thetop panel 298. In one embodiment, a fastener (not illustrated),including but not limited to a screw or pop rivet, will pass through theopenings 304 into the standoffs 300 in order to attach the cover plate302 to the top panel 298. In one embodiment, the top panel 298 and thecover plate 302 have corresponding cutout sections 306. The cutoutsections 306 are configured to receive rubber grommets 308, asillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 25, or front jumper managementdevices 280 in another embodiment.

Still referring to FIG. 25, L-shaped brackets 310 are configured to beattached to each of the left side panel 294 and the right side panel296. The L-shaped brackets 310 may be attached to the left and rightside panels 294, 296 by any means, including by screws or pop rivets.The L-shaped brackets 310 may have openings 311A on one flange of theL-shaped brackets 310 to attach the L-shaped brackets 310 to the leftand right side panels 294, 296. The L-shaped brackets 310 may also haveopenings 311B and 311C on another flange of the L-shaped brackets 310 toattach the removable front section 278 to a fiber optic housing, asdescribed more fully below in connection with FIG. 27. In oneembodiment, the L-shaped brackets 310 may take a form similar to themounting brackets disclosed above (see, e.g., FIG. 6) and the left sidepanel 294 and the right side panel 296 may have snap attachment featuresas disclosed above (see, e.g., FIG. 6), and the L-shaped brackets 310may be tool-lessly attached to the left side panel 294 and the rightside panel 296. The removable front section 278 may also have a door312. The door 312 is configured to attach to the base 288 and may beopened and closed.

Once the various components of the removable front section 278 of FIG.25 are assembled, the removable front section 278 will look like theremovable front section 278 of FIG. 26A. FIG. 26A illustrates a frontperspective view of the removable front section 278 of a fiber optichousing with the door 312 closed. The door 312 may have one or morelatches 314 for opening and closing the door 312.

FIG. 26B illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection 278 with the door 312 open. With the door 312 open, theplurality of clips 292 are visible. The plurality of clips 292 are usedfor routing control and management of fiber optic cables and opticalfibers, including but not limited to fiber optic jumper cables. Thefiber optic jumper cables, or other fiber optic cables and opticalfibers, may be routed through one or more of the plurality of clips 292and in or out of the openings 270 on either side of the removable frontsection 278. In addition, the rubber grommets 308 may be removed toanother access point for the fiber optic jumper cables, or other fiberoptic cables and optical fibers, to be routed in and out of theremovable front section 278. In one embodiment, the door 312 may alsocomprise one or more lips 315. The lips 315 are configured to allow flipcards (not illustrated) to be removably attached to the lips 315.

FIG. 26C illustrates a top front perspective view of the removable frontsection 278 with the door 312 removed. FIG. 26D illustrates anotherfront perspective view of the removable front section 278 with the door312 removed. Referring to FIG. 26C, the top panel 298 has a plurality ofreceivers 316 disposed thereon. The plurality of receivers 316 areconfigured to receive the plurality of clips 292. In one embodiment,each of the plurality of clips 292 has a hook 318 that is configured toselectively fit into one of the plurality of receivers 316, therebyattaching the clip 292 to the top panel 298. Each of the plurality ofclips 292 is inserted from underneath the top panel 298 such that thehook 318 on each respective clip 292 fits into one of the plurality ofreceivers 316, locking the respective clip 292 into the respectivereceiver 316. The bottom panel 290 may also have a plurality ofreceivers like the receivers 316 that are configured to receive aplurality of clips 292 such that a plurality of clips 292 may also beattached to the bottom panel 290.

FIG. 27 illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection 278 being attached to a fiber optic housing 320. The fiber optichousing 320 may be of any type and may be assembled in any manner. Inone embodiment, the fiber optic housing 320 may be assembled tool-lesslyas disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 14-18. The fiber optic housing320 may have mounting brackets 322 attached to each side of the fiberoptic housing 320. In one embodiment, the mounting brackets 322 may belike any of the mounting brackets disclosed above in FIGS. 4-8 and maybe attached to the fiber optic housing 320 as disclosed therein. Themounting brackets 322 may have a plurality of keyhole-shaped openings324. In one embodiment, there may be one keyhole-shaped opening 324 at atop 326 of each of the mounting brackets 322 and one keyhole-shapedopening 324 at a bottom 328 of each of the mounting brackets 322. In oneembodiment, the mounting brackets 322 may also include a plurality ofoval-shaped openings 330 and a plurality of circular holes 332. In oneembodiment, the plurality of circular holes 332 may be located at ornear a center 334 of the each of the mounting brackets 322. In otherembodiments, the keyhole-shaped openings 324, the oval-shaped openings330 and the circular holes 332 may be different shapes. The mountingbrackets 322 may also have a plurality of recesses 336, which allow aspace for other apparatuses, such as the removable front section 278, tobe attached to the fiber optic housing 320, as described more fullybelow.

With continued reference to FIG. 27, including the inset view, theremovable front section 278 has a plurality of tabs 338 at a top 340 anda bottom 342 of each of the left side panel 294 and the right side panel296 (although only the tabs 338 on the right side panel 296 are visiblein FIG. 27). In order to attach the removable front section 278 to thefiber optic housing 320, the removable front section 278 is positionedsuch that the tabs 338 fit into the recesses 336 of the mountingbrackets 322. This will align the openings 311B of the L-shaped bracket310 of the removable front section 278 with the circular holes 332 ofthe mounting bracket 322, and will align the openings 311C of theL-shaped bracket 310 with the oval-shaped openings 330 of the mountingbracket 322. A fastener, such as a screw or pop rivet, may then beplaced through one or more of the openings 311B of the L-shaped bracket310 of the removable front section 278 and through the circular holes332 of the mounting bracket 322 to securely attach the removable frontsection 278 to the fiber optic housing 320.

FIG. 28 illustrates a front perspective view of the removable frontsection 278 attached to a fiber optic housing 344 with fiber opticjumpers being routed out of sides of the removable front section 278.The door 312 is open, allowing access to the inside of the removablefront section 278. The fiber optic housing 344 in the embodiment of FIG.28 has fiber optic panels 346 loaded in the removable front section 278,although any sort of fiber optic apparatuses, including but not limitedto fiber optic modules and cassettes, may be loaded into the removablefront section 278. Fiber optic jumpers 348 are connected to the fiberoptic panels 346 and may be routed through the clips 292 and then out ofthe openings 270 on either side of the removable front section 278.

FIGS. 29-34 illustrate various embodiments of a front jumper managementdevice for use with a fiber optic housing or a removable front sectionattached to a fiber optic housing.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of a fiber optic housing 350illustrating a removable front section 278 having a plurality ofremovable front jumper management devices 280 with grommets 352, aspreviously mentioned in FIG. 24. The front jumper management devices 280aid in fiber management and routing. The front jumper management devices280 may be easily removable in one embodiment. The front jumpermanagement devices 280 may be located on the top portion 282 and/or onthe bottom portion 284 of the removable front section 278.

In one embodiment, the front jumper management devices 280 comprise aplurality of grommet/clip assemblies 354 for use with the fiber optichousing 350 or the removable front section 278. Each of the grommet/clipassemblies 354 may include a clip 356 and a grommet 352. The grommet 352may be made of rubber in one embodiment. In one embodiment, thegrommet/clip assembly 354 may be removably mounted in openings 355 onthe front of the fiber optic housing 350 on both the top and the bottom.The grommet/clip assembly 354 may be removably mounted to the fiberoptic housing 350 by sliding it into the opening 355 in the fiber optichousing 350.

The front jumper management devices 280 may be removably mounted on theinside of the fiber optic housing 350 to aid in fiber management, or onthe outside of the fiber optic housing 350 to serve as an external fibermanagement device or component, as seen in FIG. 30.

FIG. 30 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing 350 ofFIG. 29 illustrating fiber management of optical fiber jumpers 358 usingthe front jumper management devices 280. The door 312 is open, allowingaccess to the inside of the removable front section 278. The fiber optichousing 350 in the embodiment of FIG. 30 has fiber optic panels 346loaded in the removable front section 278, although any sort of fiberoptic apparatuses, including but not limited to fiber optic modules andcassettes, may be loaded into the removable front section 278. Althoughthe embodiment of FIG. 30 illustrates a removable front section 278, inother embodiments, the fiber optic housing 350 may not have a removablefront section 278, and the fiber optic panels 346 may be loaded into thefiber optic housing 350 itself.

The optical fiber jumpers 358 are connected to the fiber optic panels346 and, in one embodiment, may be routed out of the fiber optic housing350 through the openings 270 on either side of the removable frontsection 278. In one embodiment, certain of the optical fiber jumpers 358may be routed out of the fiber optic housing 350 through the grommets352 of the front jumper management devices 280. For example, in FIG. 30,some of the optical fiber jumpers 358 are routed from the fiber opticpanels 346 directly through the grommets 352 of one of the front jumpermanagement devices 280. In one embodiment, the optical fiber jumpers 358may be first passed through the grommet/clip assemblies 354 of the frontjumper management devices 280 and then through the openings 270 oneither side of the removable front section 278. For example, some of theoptical fiber jumpers 358 are routed through the clip 356B of one of thefront jumper management devices 280 and through the openings 270 on theleft side of the removable front section 278.

By locating front jumper management devices 280 on both the top portion282 and/or on the bottom portion 284 of the removable front section 278,a variety of options for optical fiber routing and management areprovided. For example, in FIG. 30, some of the optical fiber jumpers 358are routed through the clip 356B and then through the clip 356C of oneof the front jumper management devices 280 at the top portion 282 andthen through the openings 270 on the right side of the removable frontsection 278. Some of the optical fiber jumpers 358 are routed throughonly one of the clips (clip 356C) of the one of the front jumpermanagement devices 280 at the top portion 282 before being routedthrough the openings 270 on the right side of the removable frontsection 278. Finally, some of the optical fiber jumpers 358 are routedthrough one or more of the clips (clips 356D and 356E) of the one of thefront jumper management devices 280 at the bottom portion 284 beforebeing routed through the openings 270 on the right side of the removablefront section 278. Although not illustrated in FIG. 30, certain of theoptical fiber jumpers 358 could be routed through one or more of thegrommets 352 on the front jumper management devices 280 at the bottomsection 284 without being routed through the openings 270.

FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the front jumper managementdevice 280 to illustrate more detail for this particular embodiment of afiber management component with the pass-through grommets of FIGS. 29and 30. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 31, the front jumpermanagement device 280 may comprise the grommet/clip assembly 354. Thegrommet/clip assembly 354 may include the routing clips or clips 356 andthe grommets 352 mounted in openings or ports 360 to allow opticalfibers to be routed through the grommet/clip assembly 354. The ports 360are provided to allow optical fibers to be routed therethrough aspreviously discussed. If optical fibers are routed through the ports360, the appropriate grommets 352 are removed. The grommets 352 areremovable and close off the ports 360 to prevent dust or debris fromentering into the fiber optic housing or removable front section, asexamples, when the ports 360 are not used to route optical fibers. Thegrommets 352 may be made from any type of material, including a flexiblematerial. The grommets 352 may be made from any type of polymer orrubber, as additional non-limiting examples. In one embodiment, theclips 356 may be routing clips/fiber holders.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 31, a plurality of clips 356may be disposed in a base 362, with one clip 356 disposed on a first end365 of the base 362 and another clip 356 disposed on a second end 367 ofthe base 362. Also in this embodiment, the clip 356 is comprised of afirst arcuate member 369 having a first end 371 attached to the base 362and a second end 373 adjacent a second end 375 of a second member 377having a first end 379 attached to the base 362. The first arcuatemember 369 and the second member 377 may be flexible. In thisembodiment, the second end 373 of the first arcuate member 369 abutsagainst the second end 375 of the second member 377 when a compressionforce F1 is not applied inward to the first arcuate member 369 towardsthe second member 377. The second end 373 of the first arcuate member369 is configured to separate from the second end 375 of the secondmember 377 when the compression force F1 is applied inward to the firstarcuate member 369 towards the second member 377.

The grommet/clip assembly 354 may also comprise the base 362 with one ormore mounting holes 364, as illustrated in FIG. 31, to allow thegrommet/clip assembly 354 to be mounted to a fiber optic housing. Inthis embodiment, the clips 356 are attached to the base 362. Themounting holes 364 may be used for fasteners (not illustrated), such asa screw, pop rivet, or a plunger fastener, to removably attach thegrommet/clip assembly 354 to a fiber optic housing. The grommet/clipassembly 354 retains optical fiber jumpers (like the optical fiberjumpers 358 in FIG. 30) while creating a pathway to routing fibers thatare terminated in optical connectors. In one embodiment, thegrommet/clip assembly 354 may be removably attached to a fiber opticmanagement panel, and may be installed in the same location as aconnector panel. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 29, thegrommet/clip assembly 354 may be removably mounted in the openings 355on the front of the fiber optic housing 350 on both the top and thebottom. The grommet/clip assembly 354 may be removably mounted to thehousing by sliding it into the opening 355 in the fiber optic housing350.

The grommet/clip assembly 354 may also have features that allow it to beinstalled in different orientations and in different locations. FIG. 32illustrates how front jumper management devices with grommets can bemounted on their sides to create horizontal fiber management outside thefiber optic housing. In the embodiment of FIG. 32, the grommet/clipassembly 354 at the top of the fiber optic housing 350 is removablymounted on its side to create horizontal fiber management outside thefiber optic housing 350. This will use a 1U rack unit space of 1.75inches. However, the grommet/clip assembly 354 may be removed to allowfiber optic housings to be stacked directly on top of each other andstill maintain the pass-through feature.

Further, the grommet/clip assembly 354 may be mounted in the samelocation as a connector panel using the same mounting hardware as theconnector panels. FIG. 33 illustrates how a front jumper managementdevice with grommets may be mounted in a fiber optic housing in place ofa fiber optic panel to allow for fiber management. In the embodiment ofFIG. 33, a 1U fiber optic housing 366 has a plurality of openings 368. Afiber optic panel 370 may be placed in one of the plurality of openings368. In the other opening 368, a front jumper management device 280comprising one or more grommet/clip assemblies 354 is positionedhorizontally. The grommet/clip assembly 354 may also comprise a base 362with one or more mounting holes 364, as illustrated in FIG. 31, to allowthe grommet/clip assembly 354 to be mounted to the fiber optic housing366. A fastener, such as a plunger fastener 372 as illustrated in FIG.33, may be used to removably attach the grommet/clip assembly 354 to thefiber optic housing 366. In other embodiments, different fasteners, suchas a screw or pop rivet, may be used in place of the plunger fastener372.

The front jumper management device 280 with the grommet/clip assembly354 disclosed above may be removably attached to a fiber optic housing.The end user may configure the front jumper management device 280 inmultiple ways or remove it when it is not needed. Various other ways ofmounting the front jumper management device 280 are possible, includingbut not limited to sliding the front jumper management device 280 into acutout in a wall of a fiber optic housing, installing the front jumpermanagement device 280 on its side using snaps that latch into a cutoutin a wall of a fiber optic housing, or installing the front jumpermanagement device 280 using plungers in the same location as a fiberadapter panel or module. Additionally, the grommets 352 in thegrommet/clip assembly 354 allow fiber to transition in any direction(including, but not limited to, the rear, up, or down) depending on theorientation of the grommet/clip assembly 354, as seen in FIG. 30 above.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an alternative fiber optic housing 374configured to support fiber optic modules 376. In one embodiment, thefiber optic housing 374 may also support fiber optic panels (like fiberoptic panels 378 illustrated in FIG. 36A) interchangeably by employing aremovable panel clip (which is disclosed more fully in FIGS. 37A-37G).The fiber optic housing 374 is configured to support fiber opticequipment in a vertical orientation. FIG. 34 illustrates the fiber optichousing 374 supporting the fiber optic modules 376. If it desired toprovide fiber optic panels 378 in the fiber optic housing 374, removablepanel clips 380 (see FIGS. 37A-37G) can be installed in a base 382 and atop 384 of the fiber optic housing 374, as illustrated in FIGS. 35A-35C.

FIGS. 35A-35C are perspective, perspective close-up, and perspectiveclose-up cut section views, respectively, of the removable panel clip380 installed in the fiber optic housing 374 to enable the fiber optichousing 374 to support fiber optic panels 378 and fiber optic modules376 interchangeably. The removable panel clips 380 may be installed in afront 374A of the fiber optic housing 374, or may be installed in a rear374B of the fiber optic housing 374. The base 382 contains receivers 386in the form of openings to receive and secure a flange 388 of theremovable panel clip 380 (see FIGS. 37A-37G). The removable panel clip380 is secured to the receiver 386 in the base 382, as described morefully below.

FIG. 36A is a perspective view of the fiber optic housing 374 in FIG.35A with removable panel clips 380 installed in the base 382 and the top384 to be able to support the fiber optic panels 378. FIG. 36B is aperspective view of the fiber optic housing 374 in FIG. 35A withremovable panel clips 380 installed and inserts 390 provided in the formof push pins of the fiber optic panels 378 inserted into receptacles 392of the removable panel clips 380 to support the fiber optic panels 378in the fiber optic housing 374. In another embodiment, the inserts 390may be provided in the form of plungers

As illustrated in FIGS. 37A-37G, the removable panel clip 380 includesthe flange 388. The flange 388 is configured to be inserted into thereceiver 386 of the base 382 (FIGS. 35A-35C) to attach the removablepanel clip 380 to the base 382. The flange 388 in this embodiment iscircular-shaped, but other shapes can be provided. The flange 388 isdisposed in a first side 394 of the removable panel clip 380. Areceptacle 392 disposed in a second side 396 of the removable panel clip380 is configured to receive the insert 390 of a fiber optic panel 378,as illustrated in FIGS. 36A-36B. The first side 394 may be generally ata right angle to the second side 396 in this embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 35B and 35C as well as FIGS. 37A-37G, the flange 388of the removable panel clip 380 is configured to be inserted into afirst area 398 of the receiver 386 of the base 382 and slid into asecond area 400 of the receiver 386 to attach the removable panel clip380 to the base 382. A standoff or extender 402 is disposed between theflange 388 and the first side 394 to extend the flange 388 a distanceaway from the first side 394 so the flange 388 can be inserted into thereceiver 386 in the base 382. The flange 388 can then be slid behind thesecond area 400 of the receiver 386, which has an opening size less thanthe size of the flange 388.

The flange 388 cannot be removed from the receiver 386 unless and untilthe flange 388 is slid back to the first area 398 of the receiver 386,which has an opening size that will allow the flange 388 to be removedfrom the receiver 386. A protrusion 404 is also disposed in the firstside 394 of the removable panel clip 380 to be disposed into the secondarea 400 of the receiver 386 to further secure the removable panel clip380 to the base 382. In one embodiment, in order to remove the flange388 from the receiver 386, the removable panel clip 380 is slightlylifted in a vertical direction until the protrusion 404 overcomes thebase 382. In one embodiment, the removable panel clip 380 can also beinstalled in the base 382 in a position one hundred eighty (180) degreesfrom the orientation discussed above and shown in FIGS. 35B and 35C toallow the fiber optic panel or fiber optic module/cassette disposedtherein to move independently.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of another removable panel clip 406installed in a fiber optic housing 408 to enable the fiber optic housing408 to interchangeably support fiber optic panels and fiber opticmodules. FIG. 39A-39D illustrate bottom, side, front, and back views,respectively, of the removable panel clip 406 in FIG. 38. The removablepanel clips 406 are configured to be attached to a rail system 410disposed in the fiber optic housing 408 to attach the removable panelclips 406 to the fiber optic housing 408 to support fiber optic panels.The rail system 410 is configured to support fiber optic modules in thefiber optic housing 408 when the removable panel clip 406 is notattached to the rail system 410. In this regard, the removable panelclips 406 each comprise a groove 409 configured to receive a rail 412disposed in the fiber optic housing 408 to attach the removable panelclips 406 to the fiber optic housing 408. Like the removable panel clip380, the removable panel clip 406 contains a receptacle 413 disposedtherein that is configured to receive an insert in the form of a pushpin or plunger from a fiber optic panel to secure the fiber optic panelto the removable panel clip 406 and thus the fiber optic housing 408.Protrusions 414 are disposed in the removable panel clip 406, asillustrated in FIG. 38, and are configured to engage with receivers 416to further secure the removable panel clips 406 to the fiber optichousing 408. A support member 418 is disposed or provided as part of theremovable panel clip 406 to provide structural support, as illustratedin FIGS. 39A and 39B.

The base of the fiber optic housing (such as the base 382 of the fiberoptic housing 374 in FIGS. 35A and 36A, or the base of the fiber optichousing 408 in FIG. 38) may be configured to support either fiber opticpanels or fiber optic modules/cassettes. To support fiber optic panels,a receiver (like the receiver 416 in FIG. 38) is disposed in the fiberoptic housing 374 or 408 to receive the removable panel clips 406. If afiber optic module(s) is desired to be supported, the removable panelclips 406 are not employed. Instead, the fiber optic module(s) includesa rail guide that is configured to receive a rail disposed in the fiberoptic housing 374 of FIGS. 35A and 36A or the fiber optic housing 408 inFIG. 38.

FIGS. 40A-40D illustrate various views of exemplary rails 412 to be usedin the fiber optic housing 408 of FIG. 38. In one embodiment, the rail412 has three sections 412-1, 412-2, 412-3 formed by two notches 415-1,415-2. The notches 415-1, 415-2 are used to lock fiber optic modules orcassettes onto the rail 412, as will be discussed in more detail below.The rail 412 may also have a pair of latches 419-1, which may extendfrom the section 412-2 in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS.40A-40D. The rail 412 may have a groove 417 at one end of the section412-1. The rail 412 may also have a latch 419-2 at one end of the rail412, such as at the end of portion 412-3, as illustrated FIGS. 40A-40D.The latches 419-1, 419-2 may be used to attach the rail 412 to the fiberoptic housing 374 of FIGS. 35A and 36B, or the fiber optic housing 408of FIG. 38. In one embodiment, the latches 419-1, 419-2 may fit intoreceivers 383 disposed in the base 382 of the fiber optic housing 374 ofFIGS. 35A and 36B and be used to attach the rail 412 to the fiber optichousing 374. The latches 419-1, 419-2 may be flexible and resilient suchthat they provide biasing to allow the latches 419-1, 419-2 to extendinto the receivers 383 to secure the rail 412 to the base 382 of thefiber optic housing 374 of FIGS. 35A and 36B. FIGS. 41A and 41B arefront perspective and side views, respectively, of an exemplary fiberoptic module or cassette 422 that may be mounted on a rail in the fiberoptic housing 408 of FIG. 38. As illustrated in the front perspectiveand top views of the fiber optic module/cassette 422 in FIGS. 41A and41B, respectively, the fiber optic module/cassette 422 includes ahousing 422H that includes a first end 422-1 and a second end 422-2.Rails guides 421A, 421B are disposed in the housing 422H on the firstend 422-1 and the second end 422-2 of the housing 422H, respectively.Thus, when a rear portion 422R of the fiber optic module/cassette 422 isinserted onto a rail or rails 412 disposed on the fiber optic housing408, the rail guides 421A, 421B of the fiber optic module/cassette 422are aligned with the rails 412. The rail guides 421A, 421B receive therails 412. The fiber optic module/cassette 422 can be slid back from afront 408F of the fiber optic housing 408 to a rear 408R of the fiberoptic housing 408 (FIG. 38), until a front side 422F of the fiber opticmodule/cassette 422 locks into place in one of the notches 415-1 or415-2 on the rail 412.

The fiber optic module/cassette 422 can be locked into place on therails 412 by protrusions 401A, 401B provided in a latching system 403A,403B disposed in the rail guides 421A, 421B, respectively. Asillustrated in FIGS. 41A and 41B, the protrusions 401A, 401B are eachconfigured to be secured into notches 415-2 disposed in the rails 412 tolock the fiber optic module/cassette 422 into place. When it is desiredto release the fiber optic module/cassette 422 from the rail 412,latches 405A, 405B can be pushed inward toward the fiber opticmodule/cassette 422 to release the protrusions 401A, 401B from thenotches 415-2 to allow the rail guides 421A, 421B of the fiber opticmodule/cassette 422 to be moved about the rails 412 of the fiber optichousing 408. In one embodiment, the fiber optic module/cassette 422might be slid onto the rail 412 such that the protrusions 401A, 401Block into place in the notch 415-1 instead of notches 415-2.

The fiber optic housing 408 illustrated in FIG. 38 thus providesintegrated tracks or rails to house large splice modules, with removablepanel clips to hold fiber optic panels or smaller fiber optic modules.The integrated tracks or rails allow the fiber optic housing to workwith any panel designed for the housing, for example a 4U housing,simply by changing the adapter to match the desired panel. The railsallow larger fiber optic modules to slide in place for maximum use ofthe available space inside the fiber optic housing. The removable panelclips also allow for multiple mounting locations in the front to backorientation, allowing the user to move the fiber optic panel to a morerecessed position when needed for the use of components which mayrequire additional space, including, as one non-limiting example,in-line attenuators or other apparatuses.

Embodiments disclosed below also include door fiber management for fiberoptic housings, and related components and methods. In one embodiment, afiber optic housing is provided. The fiber optic housing comprises anenclosure defining at least one interior chamber configured to supportfiber optic equipment. The fiber optic housing also comprises at leastone door attached to the enclosure and configured to seal off at least aportion of the at least one interior chamber when the door is closed.The fiber optic housing also comprises at least one fiber managementcomponent disposed in the at least one door. The door can be a frontdoor, a rear door, both a front and rear door, or any other doorattached or provided as part of the fiber optic housing. The fibermanagement component can be any type of fiber management device orcomponent, including but not limited to a slack storage device orcomponent, a routing guide, and a fan-out body holder.

In this regard, FIG. 42 is a rear view of a fiber optic housing 420 witha rear door 424 opened that is fully loaded with fiber opticmodules/cassettes 422 attached to rails. In one embodiment, the fiberoptic modules/cassettes 422 may be fiber optic splice cassettes. Thefiber optic housing 420 is fully loaded with fiber opticmodules/cassettes 422. In other embodiments, the fiber optic housing 420may be loaded with fiber optic panels, fiber optic connectors, or fiberoptic modules. The fiber optic housing 420 has the rear door 424 that isopened to allow access to the fiber optic modules/cassettes 422. Thefiber optic housing 420 in this embodiment defines an enclosure 423defining an interior chamber 425 configured to support fiber opticequipment 427 disposed therein. The rear door 424 is attached to theenclosure 423 and configured to seal off at least a portion of theinterior chamber 425 when the rear door 424 is closed against theenclosure 423.

In fiber optic housings, fiber cable management is commonly done insidethe rear on the bottom of the fiber optic housing. Optical fiber slackstorage is located on the bottom and top in the back section of thefiber optic housing 420. Sometimes that space becomes very limited,resulting in poor fiber management. In one embodiment as disclosedherein, the rear door 424 may be adapted to be used in fiber optichousings to store slack fiber optic cables and to provide locations forstrain relief. In addition, the rear door 424 may also be used to holdfiber transition boxes. Having additional storage on the rear door 424frees up space on the inside of the fiber optic housing for betteraccess to the fiber optic modules. This is especially true when largesplice modules are used, as there is less room for slack storage ofoptical fibers on the bottom or top, so storage on the rear doorprovides the storage space that otherwise would have been located in thebottom or the top of the fiber optic housing. When the rear door 424 isopened, the optical fiber bundle is rotated out of the way of the userproviding safer access to the rear of the fiber optic modules.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 42 and 43B-43C, a fiber managementcomponent in the form of a slack storage component 429 is disposed in aninside surface 431 of the rear door 424. The slack storage component 429is designed to store slack of optical fibers 442 connected to the fiberoptic equipment 427 disposed in the fiber optic housing 420, asillustrated in FIGS. 43B and 43C. In this embodiment, the slack storagecomponent 429 is comprised of two (2) retainers 444, each comprised oftwo (2) flanges 433A, 433B. The retainers 444 are disposed in aperimeter of the rear door 424 in this embodiment. The flanges 433A,443B are each comprised of a first member 435A, 435B disposed in a firstplane and attached to the interior surface 431 of the rear door 424,which serves as a base, and a second member 437A, 437B attached to thefirst member 435A, 435B, in a second plane intersecting with the firstplane to form a slack storage area 439A, 439B within the flanges 433A,433B. Other fiber management components, including routing guides, couldalso be disposed in or on the rear door 424, including the interiorsurface 431, or an external surface of the rear door 424. Further, thefiber management components could be disposed on any door of the fiberoptic housing 420, including the rear door 424, or a front door, asexamples.

FIG. 43A is a rear perspective view of a fiber optic housing 428 mountedin an equipment rack illustrating an exemplary embodiment of fibermanagement components in the form of fiber slack storage and fibermanagement on a rear door 426 of the fiber optic housing 428. FIG. 43Aillustrates optical fiber slack storage and management on a rear door426 of the fiber optic housing 428. The rear door 426 may pivot downwardabout a pivot point 430 between the rear door 426 and the fiber optichousing 428 when the rear door 426 is opened. In one embodiment, thepivot point 430 may be a hinge. The rear door 426 may have a pluralityof routing clips 432 disposed thereon. The rear door 426 may also have aplurality of lips 434 disposed thereon in one embodiment. In oneembodiment, one or more transition boxes 436 may be attached to the reardoor 426 via a respective one of the lips 434. In another embodiment, aflip card (not illustrated) may be attached to the rear door 426 via thelips 434. The rear door 426 may also have one or more strain relieflocations 438 located near the pivot point 430 in one embodiment.

An optical fiber or fiber optic cable may be routed to the rear of thefiber optic housing 428. In the embodiment of FIG. 43A, the fiber opticcable is a buffer tube with one or more optical fibers 442 connected toone or more of the fiber optic modules/cassettes 422. The optical fibers442 may be strain-relieved at the strain relief location 438 near thepivot point 430 of the rear door 426 to minimize fiber movement as therear door 426 is opened. The optical fibers 442 will be routed near thepivot point 430. The routing clips 432 may hold the optical fibers 442in a loop greater than the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers442. When ribbon fiber is used, the transition boxes 436 may be used tofan out the ribbon into individual fibers when connectorized. The reardoor 426 also has provisions (the lips 434) to hold these fan-out ortransition boxes 436.

The fiber optic housing 428 may be any size. Additionally, the fiberoptic housing 428 does not need to be an equipment rack-mounted fiberoptic housing. For example, the fiber optic housing 428 may be a wallmount fiber optic housing. The rear door 426 may be made out of metal orplastic.

With continuing reference to FIG. 43A, the fiber management components,including the routing clips 432 are disposed in a pedestal or base 445attached to an interior surface 447 of the rear door 426. In thismanner, the routing clips 432 are disposed above the rear door 426 in araised manner. The base 445 may include one or more recesses 449 toallow the base 445 to be disposed around and not interfere with anyother components in the rear door 426. The base 445 can be removed ifadditional fiber management components are not needed or desired to bedisposed on the rear door 426. The base 445 may be of any shape desired,including but not limited to rectangular and circular or ellipticalshaped. The base 445 may be attached using one or more fasteners to therear door 426. Although not illustrated, the base 445 and the fibermanagement components disposed therein may also be disposed in the frontdoor.

FIG. 43B is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing 428mounted in an equipment rack illustrating an alternate embodiment offiber slack storage and management on the rear door 426 of the fiberoptic housing 428 having fiber optic splice cassettes. In the embodimentof FIG. 43B, the fiber optic cable being routed to the rear of the fiberoptic housing 428 is a buffer tube 440 with one or more optical fibers442 is connected to one or more of the fiber optic modules/cassettes422. In the embodiment of FIG. 43B, the optical fibers 442 will berouted near the pivot point 430. The optical fibers 442 are held in aloop greater than the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers 442 inthe retainers 444 located at the bottom of the rear door 426.

FIG. 43C is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing 428mounted in an equipment rack illustrating an alternate embodiment offiber slack storage and management on the rear door 426 of the fiberoptic housing 428 having fiber optic panels. In the embodiment of FIG.43C, the fiber optic cable being routed to the rear of the fiber optichousing 428 is the buffer tube 440 with one or more optical fibers 442.The optical fibers 442 transition to a 900 micron optical fiber 446which is connected to one or more of the fiber optic modules/cassettes422. In the embodiment of FIG. 43C, the optical fibers 442 will berouted near the pivot point 430. The optical fibers 442 are held in aloop greater than the minimum bend radius of the optical fibers 442 inthe retainers 444 located at the bottom of the rear door 426. In theembodiment of FIG. 43C, the 900 micron optical fiber 446 may also berouted through one or more routing clips 448 in the rear of the fiberoptic housing 428.

Embodiments disclosed below also include fiber management sections forfiber optic housings, and related components and methods. In oneembodiment, a fiber management device is provided. The fiber managementdevice comprises a base and at least one fiber management componentattached to the base and configured to manage one or more opticalfibers. At least one opening is disposed in the base and configured toroute one or more optical fibers from the base. The fiber managementcomponent may be a routing guide configured to route the one or moreoptical fibers as a non-limiting example.

In this regard, FIG. 44 is a rear perspective view of a fiber optichousing 450 mounted in an equipment rack with a fiber management device452 mounted in the fiber optic housing 450. The fiber optic housing 450has the fiber management device 452 located in a rear portion of thefiber optic housing 450 that can be removed from the fiber optic housing450. The fiber management device 452 can be used for fiber slack storageand fiber management in a fiber optic housing for the LAN and datacenter environment. The fiber management device 452 can store incomingbuffer tube or fiber optic cable slack and can also manage 900 micronoptical fiber separately from other fiber optic cables or opticalfibers.

The fiber management device 452 has the ability to strain-relieveincoming fiber optic cable, store fiber optic cable slack on a baselevel of the fiber management device 452, and store 900 micron opticalfiber on a raised level using routing clips. The fiber management device452 may also be removable, allowing a technician to install, route, andconfigure fiber optic cable and slack outside the fiber optic housing450. In particular, a technician can remove the fiber management device452 and place it on a work bench or table to freely install, route, andconfigure the fiber optic cable, as well as provide strain-relief androute the optical fiber per standard practices. After routing, thetechnician can easily install the fiber management device 452 into thefiber optic housing 450 without the use of tools.

Looking at FIGS. 44 and 45, the fiber optic housing 450 is installed ina typical equipment rack 454 with the rear door 456 down. The fibermanagement device 452 can be mounted inside a rear door 456 on a bottompanel 457 of the fiber optic housing 450. In this embodiment, the fibermanagement device 452 includes a base 460 configured to support at leastone fiber management component. The base 460 includes at least oneattachment device in the form of a mounting clip or tab 466 disposed inthe base 460 and configured to be received by at least one receiver 467disposed in the fiber optic housing 450 to secure the base 460 in thefiber optic housing 450. The tabs 466 could be provided on each side orends of the base 460, if desired. The base 460 is configured so that thetab 466 can be removed from the receiver 467 to remove the base 460 fromthe fiber optic housing 450. Alternatively, other fasteners could beused to secure the base 460 inside the fiber optic housing 450. Forexample, the fastener could be a thumb screw. One or more recesses 473can also be disposed in the base 460 to provide for the base 460 to notinterfere with other components disposed in the fiber optic housing

FIG. 45 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic housing 450mounted in the equipment rack with the fiber management device 452 ofFIG. 44 removed from the fiber optic housing 450.

FIG. 46A is a front perspective view of the fiber management device 452of FIG. 45. The fiber management device 452 has a plurality of routingclips 458 disposed on a base 460 of the fiber management device 452. Thefiber management device 452 may be a rectangular shape in oneembodiment. In one embodiment, the fiber management device 452 alsocomprises slack storage components in the form of retainers 459 around aperimeter 461 of the fiber management device 452. The retainers 459 areconfigured to store and/or retain slack storage of optical fibers. Theretainers 459 may comprise a first member 481 extending upward from thebase 460 and then angled inward to provide a second member 483 to retainthe slack optical fiber inside the fiber management device 452. Theplurality of routing clips 458 each has a pedestal 462 and a top portion464 that allows the routing clips 458 to be raised to a level above thebase 460 of the fiber management device 452. Pedestals 462 are disposedin the base 460 to support fiber management components above the base460, in this example, the routing clips 458. The pedestals 462 may allowthe routing clips 458 to be rotated about the base 460 if desired, asillustrated in FIGS. 46A and 46B. The fiber management device 452 mayalso have a plurality of tabs 466 for fastening the fiber managementdevice 452 to the bottom panel 457 of the fiber optic housing 450. Thebase 460 may also have one or more thumb screws 468 for fastening thefiber management device 452 to the bottom panel 457 of the fiber optichousing 450.

FIG. 46B is a front perspective view of the fiber management device 452of FIG. 46A illustrating an exemplary fiber optic cable routing with abuffer tube and 900 micron optical fiber. A buffer tube 470 may berouted along the base 460 of the fiber management device 452, while a900 micron optical fiber 472 may be routed through one or more of thetop portions 464 of the routing clips 458 such that the 900 micronoptical fiber 472 is routed and stored on a raised level from the baselevel of the buffer tube 470. In this manner, slack storage, routing,and management is provided for both the buffer tube 470 and the 900micron optical fiber 472 at the same time using a single device. In oneembodiment, the fiber management device 452 may also comprise lances 474near one or more corners 476 of the fiber management device 452 toprovide strain relief for the incoming buffer tube 470.

FIG. 46C is a top front perspective view of the fiber management device452 of FIG. 45 with exemplary optical fiber splice trays. The fibermanagement device 452 in this embodiment is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 46B, except the routing clips 458 have been removed and a opticalfiber splice tray 478 has been provided on the base 460 of the fibermanagement device 452. FIG. 46D is a front perspective view of analternate fiber management device 480. In this example, the fibermanagement device 480 also includes a base 493 configured to support oneor more fiber management components. The fiber management device 480 canbe disposed on any surface of a fiber optic housing, including interiorsurfaces in the enclosure of a fiber optic housing and/or a door of afiber optic housing. The fiber management device 480 has a plurality ofrouting clips 482 for routing and storing a buffer tube as fibermanagement components for routing optical fibers disposed therethrough.The routing clips 482 may be like routing clips 356 in FIG. 31 andcontain the same features, as previously described. Also in thisembodiment, the routing clips 482 may be disposed on a common pedestal495 disposed in the base 493 to raise the routing clips 482 above thebase 493 and to provide flexibility in attaching other types of fibermanagement components that may or may not be compatible to be directlyattached to the base 493.

The fiber management device 480 also has a fan-out holder 484 forrouting and storing one or more 900 micron optical fibers. The fan-outholder 484 is configured to retain and support fan-out bodies foroptical fibers as another example of fiber management. The fibermanagement device 480 may also have a plurality of lances 486 forproviding strain relief. In one embodiment, the lances 486 arepositioned on an edge 488 of the fiber management device 480. The fibermanagement device 480 may also have a plurality of attachment devices inthe form of a plurality of integrated mounting clips 490 that areconfigured to attach the fiber management device 480 to a fiber optichousing or door of a fiber optic housing, as examples of surfaces inwhich the fiber management device 480 can be attached.

The fiber management devices described herein may be made out of metalor plastic. Instead of a single fiber management device, two or moresmaller fiber management devices could be used such that fibermanagement devices are provided in different portions of a fiber optichousing, as illustrated in FIG. 47. FIG. 47 is a rear perspective viewof the fiber optic housing illustrating optical fiber storage using two(2) fiber management devices similar to the fiber management devices 480of FIG. 46D. FIG. 47 illustrates optical fiber management and storage inthe rear of the housing on both the top and bottom. The optical fibermanagement and storage at the top is provided by routing clips and theoptical fiber management and storage on the bottom is provided using thefiber management devices 480.

An attachment housing (also known as a caboose, or an expandablecaboose) provides additional features and may be used to expand thedepth of the fiber optic housing, as illustrated in FIGS. 48-50B. In oneembodiment, the attachment housing is designed to be attached to aseven-inch fiber optic housing for use in the LAN and data centerenvironment which may be mountable in the 19-inch or 23-inch equipmentracks or cabinets. The attachment housing removably attaches to the sideof the fiber optic housing in the strain relief bracket location,without the need for any extra hardware. The attachment housing allowsthe user to add splicing, more slack storage, and even more strainrelief capability. In this way, the attachment housing allows anequipment rack-mounted fiber optic housing to be upgraded in theequipment rack from a connector housing to a splice housing, slackstorage housing, or to increase the strain relief capacity of thehousing to store plug and play cable assemblies. The attachment housingincreases the depth of the fiber optic housing without using any moreequipment rack space.

The attachment housing may involve simple tool-less installation to thefiber optic housing the attachment features provided on the fiber optichousing. The attachment housing may use the existing rear door of thefiber optic housing, and may save rack space by only increasing thedepth of the fiber optic housing but not the height. Additionally, theattachment housing gives the user more flexibility due to the fact thatthe attachment housing can be added at any time, even after the fiberoptic housing is in service.

In this regard, embodiments disclosed herein also include apparatusesand related components and methods for expanding the capacity of fiberoptic housings. In one embodiment, a fiber optic apparatus comprising anattachment housing comprising a side, a top, and a bottom defining anattachment interior chamber configured to support at least a portion offiber optic equipment is provided. The attachment housing istool-lessly, and by other than external fasteners, configured toremovably attach to a fiber optic housing comprising a housing interiorchamber configured to support fiber optic equipment to couple theattachment interior chamber and the housing interior chamber and expandthe capacity of the fiber optic housing.

In an embodiment, the attachment housing is removably attached to thefiber optic housing by means of snap attachments integral to at leastone of the attachment housing and the fiber optic housing. In anotherembodiment, one or more optical components mount within the attachmenthousing. In another embodiment, the optical components may include,without limitation, one or more splitter trays, fiber optic jumper slackstorage, and one or more strain relief devices.

In this regard, the term “capacity” is used to refer to any or all ofthe following non-limiting examples: additional fiber optic housings ina data distribution center; increased internal volume of a fiber optichousing; increased space in an equipment rack for adding additionalfiber optic housings; increased space for making additional connectionsof fiber optic cables or optical fibers to fiber optic equipment; andincreased space for supporting additional fiber optic equipment such asfiber optic modules, fiber optic panels, splitter trays, fiber opticjumper storage, and/or strain relief devices. As one non-limitingexample, a data distribution center may have space for a certain numberof equipment racks, each of which can hold a certain number of fiberoptic housings, each of which can hold a certain number of opticalcomponents. By adding the attachment housing to the fiber optic housing,additional fiber optic components may be added to the data distributioncenter without adding additional equipment racks or fiber optichousings. This would be one non-limiting example of expanding“capacity.”

In this regard, FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of the fiber optichousing illustrating an expandable attachment housing separated from thefiber optic housing. FIG. 48 illustrates a fiber optic housing 492, anattachment housing 494, and a rear door 496 separated from each other.The attachment housing 494 has a top 493, a bottom 495, and one or moresides 497 which define an attachment interior chamber 499 configured tosupport fiber optic equipment. The fiber optic housing 492 may be of anytype, including but not limited to, any of the fiber optic housingsdisclosed herein. The fiber optic housing 492 has a housing interiorchamber 501 (illustrated in FIGS. 51 and 52) configured to support fiberoptic equipment. In one embodiment, the housing interior chamber 501 maybe similar to any one or more of the interior chamber 135 in FIG. 15,the interior chamber 161 in FIGS. 16, 17A, and 17B, or the interiorchamber 221 in FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 20B. The rear door 496 is removedfrom the fiber optic housing 492 and the attachment housing 494 isattached to the rear of the fiber optic housing 492. The rear door 496is then reinstalled on the rear of the attachment housing 494. In FIG.48, the attachment housing 494 is illustrated with splice trays 498.

In one embodiment, the attachment housing 494 is attached to the fiberoptic housing 492 by means of snap attachment features like thosedisclosed herein. In one embodiment, the attachment housing 494 has aplurality of receivers 500, 502 located on sides 504, 506 of theattachment housing 494. In one embodiment, the receivers 500 may besquare shaped and the receivers 502 may be arcuate-shaped, but in otherembodiments, the receivers 500, 502 may be any shape, including but notlimited to circular, semi-circular, oval, or keyhole-shaped. The fiberoptic housing 492 may have a plurality of snap attachments 508, 510located on a left side 512 of the fiber optic housing 492 (and on aright side as well, though not illustrated in FIG. 48). The snapattachments 508, 510 may be of any shape that corresponds to the shapeof the receivers 500, 502. The receivers 500 are configured to receivethe snap attachments 508 and the receivers 502 are configured to receivethe snap attachments 510 in order to removably attach the attachmenthousing 494 to the fiber optic housing 492. In one embodiment, one ormore of the snap attachments 510 may be in the form of release buttonsconfigured to allow the attachment housing 494 to be easily and quicklyremoved, or detached, from the fiber optic housing 492.

FIG. 49 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic housing 492illustrating the expandable attachment housing 494 assembled to thefiber optic housing 492. FIG. 49 illustrates the attachment housing 494after it has been attached to the fiber optic housing 492. Theattachment housing 494 is removably attached to the fiber optic housing492 using the snap attachments 508, 510 on the sides of the fiber optichousing 492. Once the attachment housing 494 is removably attached tothe fiber optic housing 492, additional capacity for adding fiber opticequipment is provided. In this manner, the fiber optic housing 492 isconfigured to support at least a portion of fiber optic equipment, andthe attachment housing 494 is also configured to support at least aportion of fiber optic equipment.

FIGS. 50A and 50B show various versions of an attachment housing thatcan be used as the attachment housing 494 of FIGS. 48 and 49. FIG. 50Ais a rear, perspective view of the expandable attachment housing 494with jumper slack storage 514. FIG. 50B is a rear, perspective view ofthe expandable attachment housing 494 with internal strain reliefbrackets 516.

The attachment housings disclosed herein may be removably attached toany size housing. Additionally, the attachment housings may provide forother functions, including, but not limited to, cooling fans and panelsto provide additional connection capacity.

FIG. 51 is a rear view of an exemplary fiber optic housing illustratinghow a rear door can be easily attached or removed. In one embodiment, arear door needs to be removed in order to attach an attachment housingto a fiber optic housing, as seen in FIG. 48. FIG. 51 illustrates afiber optic housing 518 having a top 520, a left side 522, a right side524, and a bottom 526. The top 520, the left side 522, the right side524, and the bottom 526 together define the housing interior chamber 501configured to support at least a portion of fiber optic equipment. Thebottom 526 has an edge 528 with corners 530A, 530B. Male hinge portions532A, 532B are located at or near the corners 530A, 530B, respectively.Rods 534A, 534B extend from the male hinge portions 532A, 532B. A reardoor 536 has a pair of female hinge portions 538A, 538B with channels540A, 540B configured to receive the rods 534A, 534B. A tab 542 isprovided on the edge 528 of the bottom 526 of the fiber optic housing518 near the male hinge portions 532A, 532B.

FIG. 52 is a close-up view of how the rear door 536 of FIG. 51 can beeasily attached to or removed from the fiber optic housing 518.

Referring to FIGS. 51 and 52, the tab 542 on the edge 528 of the bottom526 of the fiber optic housing 518 may be raised up to allow the channel540B of the female hinge portion 538B to be positioned under the tab 542so that the channel 540B can be slid onto the rod 534B to attach therear door 536 to the fiber optic housing 518. If the rear door 536 isattached and it is desired to remove the rear door 536, the tab 542 maybe raised in order to allow the rear door 536 to be slid such that thechannel 540B is disengaged with the rod 534B, thereby allowing the reardoor 536 to be removed.

Once the door is removed, an attachment housing may be attached to thefiber optic housing 518. The attachment housing may also have the tab542 and the other features illustrated in FIGS. 51 and 52 so that thedoor is easily attached and removed, or detached, from the attachmenthousing as well. The features illustrated in FIGS. 51 and 52 also allowa door to be interchangeable for the front and rear of the fiber optichousing. The doors can be removed from the fiber optic housing andattachable to either the front or rear of the fiber optic housing.

As discussed above, the fiber optic housings disclosed herein canprovide one or more features and options for fiber optic housings. Somenon-limiting and non-exhaustive features disclosed herein include quicksnap to rack capability for the fiber optic housing, snap-on mountingbrackets, snap-on strain relief brackets, quick fit assembly housing,with no hardware or tools needed, removable top for fiber optichousings, removable front section for low profile rack installation,removable front jumper management device with pass-through grommets,integrated rails to house large splice modules, clips to hold fiberoptic panels or smaller fiber optic modules, optical fiber slack storageand management on rear door, rubber entry grommets on all sides, moldedin flexible edge protection for the fiber jumpers, and expandablehousing additional caboose housing.

As used in this disclosure, the terms “fiber optic module” and “fiberoptic cassette” are used interchangeably to refer to either a fiberoptic module or a fiber optic cassette, including but not limited to asplice cassette.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Further, as used herein, it is intended that terms “fiber optic cables”and/or “optical fibers” include all types of single mode and multi-modelight waveguides, including one or more optical fibers that may be bare,upcoated, colored, buffered, tight-buffered, loose-tube, ribbonizedand/or have other organizing or protective structure in a cable such asone or more tubes, strength members, jackets or the like. Likewise,other types of suitable optical fibers include bend-insensitive opticalfibers, or any other expedient of a medium for transmitting lightsignals. An example of a bend-insensitive, or bend resistant, opticalfiber is ClearCurve® Multimode fiber commercially available from CorningIncorporated. Suitable fibers of this type are disclosed, for example,in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0166094 and2009/0169163.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. It is intended that the embodiments cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic housing, comprising: a top, abottom, a right side, and a left side defining at least one interiorchamber configured to support fiber optic equipment, wherein each of thetop, the bottom, the right side, and the left side is configured toindividually, removably and tool-lessly attach to another of the top,the bottom, the right side, and the left side by other than externalfastening means.
 2. The fiber optic housing of claim 1, wherein the top,the bottom, the right side, and the left side removably attach to eachother by at least one snap attachment integral to at least one of thetop, the bottom, the right side, and the left side.
 3. The fiber optichousing of claim 1, further comprising a side mounting bracket, whereinthe side mounting bracket is configured to removably mount the fiberoptic housing to an equipment rack tool-lessly, and by other thanexternal fastening means.
 4. The fiber optic housing of claim 3, furthercomprising snap attachments on a side of the fiber optic housing toremovably mount the side mounting bracket to the fiber optic housing. 5.The fiber optic housing of claim 1, further comprising a strain reliefbracket, wherein the strain relief bracket removably mounts to the fiberoptic housing tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means.6. The fiber optic housing of claim 5, further comprising snapattachments on a side of the fiber optic housing to removably mount thestrain relief bracket to the fiber optic housing.
 7. The fiber optichousing of claim 6, wherein the strain relief bracket is configured toallow fiber optic cables to enter the fiber optic housing at any angle.8. The fiber optic housing of claim 1, further comprising aninterchangeable front section, wherein the interchangeable front sectionremovably mounts to the fiber optic housing tool-lessly, and by otherthan external fastening means.
 9. The fiber optic housing of claim 8,further comprising snap attachments on a side of the fiber optic housingto removably mount the interchangeable front section to the fiber optichousing.
 10. The fiber optic housing of claim 1, further comprising oneor more rubber grommets disposed on at least one of the top, bottom,right side, and left side.
 11. The fiber optic housing of claim 1,further comprising an opening on at least one of the top, bottom, rightside, and left side, where the opening is configured to allow opticalfibers in and out of the fiber optic housing, and wherein a moldedflexible edge protection piece is located around a portion of theopening.
 12. The fiber optic housing of claim 1, further comprisingfiber optic equipment disposed in the at least one interior chamber. 13.The fiber optic housing of claim 12, wherein the fiber optic equipmentis comprised of at least one of a fiber optic module and a fiber opticpanel.
 14. The fiber optic housing of claim 2, wherein at least one snapattachment is located on at least one of the left side and the rightside, and the bottom has at least one receiver disposed on at least oneside flange of the bottom, the at least one receiver configured toreceive the at least one snap attachment.
 15. The fiber optic housing ofclaim 2, wherein the top has at least one receiver disposed on at leastone side flange on the top, the at least one receiver configured toreceive snap attachments disposed on the left side and the right side.16. The fiber optic housing of claim 2, wherein at least one of the leftside and the right side has a top flange with at least one groove, theat least one groove configured to receive at least one standoff disposedon the top.
 17. The fiber optic housing of claim 15, wherein the sideflange on the top further comprises a merlon configured to interlockwith a crenel disposed on at least one of the left side and the rightside.
 18. A method of assembling a fiber optic housing, comprising:individually attaching a top, a bottom, a right side, and a left side toanother of the top, the bottom, the right side, and the left sidetool-lessly and by other than external fastening means, defining atleast one interior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising detaching the top, thebottom, the right side, and the left side from each other tool-lessly.20. The method of claim 18, wherein the attaching further comprisesusing a snap attachment integral to at least one of the top, the bottom,the right side, and the left side to removably attach the top, thebottom, the right side, and the left side to each other.
 21. The methodof claim 18, further comprising removably mounting a side mountingbracket to the fiber optic housing, wherein the side mounting bracket isconfigured to removably mount the fiber optic housing to an equipmentrack tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means.
 22. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising using snap attachments on a sideof the fiber optic housing to removably mount a side mounting bracket tothe fiber optic housing.
 23. The method of claim 18, further comprisingremovably mounting a strain relief bracket to the fiber optic housing,wherein the strain relief bracket removably mounts to the fiber optichousing tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means.
 24. Themethod of claim 23, further comprising using snap attachments on a sideof the fiber optic housing to removably mount the strain relief bracketto the fiber optic housing.
 25. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising removably mounting an interchangeable front section, whereinthe interchangeable front section removably mounts to the fiber optichousing tool-lessly, and by other than by external fastening means. 26.The method of claim 25, further comprising using snap attachments on aside of the fiber optic housing to removably mount the interchangeablefront section to the fiber optic housing.
 27. The method of claim 18,further comprising disposing fiber optic equipment in the at least oneinterior chamber of the fiber optic housing.
 28. The fiber optic housingof claim 1, wherein each of the top, the bottom, the right side, and theleft side is substantially flat panel.
 29. The method of claim 18,wherein each of the top, the bottom, the right side, and the left sideis substantially flat panel.